By ROGERS KALERO
GOVERNMENT must consider releasing funds for the completion of the Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation (NWSS) Phase Two Project which has stalled, thereby affecting the service delivery of the Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSSC), Company Managing Director Diana Makwaba has said.
Ms Makwaba said the delays in the completion of the project has affected the delivery of quality services hence the need for funds to be released so that the project is completed.
The NWSSC Managing Director said this at the weekend during presentation when Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary Joe Kalusa met management .
“As water utility companies, we have challenges and problem of uncoordinated developments, vandalism and encroachments on our water installations. We are grateful that as Water Development Permanent Secretary , you have come to visit us.
“We will take advantage of this visit to appeal to government to consider releasing funds for the completion of the NWSS Phase Two Project which has stalled. The stalling of this project has affected service delivery,” Mr Makwaba said.
And speaking later, Mr Kalusa directed local authorities in the country to engage water utilities as they develop new areas to ensure coordinated development and provision of water and sanitation services in the new areas.
Mr Kalusa said councils should be engaging water utilities when opening new areas so that it can include service charge fees on the plot fees.
He said the fees that the water utilities will add on the plot fees can help ensure that they have access to water and sanitation services once the area is developed.
“The councils should start involving water utilities in planning stages as it develops new areas for water and sanitation services provision. As you develop new areas, people need piped water and so it is important that local authorities and water utilities communicate on how to open up new areas in their cities.
“Lack of communication or coordination has resulted into the council opening up new areas but with no water supply and sanitation. This is why it is important that you engage each other,” Mr Kalusa said.
He said it is sad to see people spending huge sums of money on drilling boreholes and installing septic tanks once they build houses in newly developed areas.
Mr Kalusa said failure to engage councils when developing new areas is the reason that the country was having more councils pleading for water utilities to provide water and sanitation services after development.
He said having councils that work with water utilities is also key to curbing encroachment of land reserved for the companies.
Mr Kalusa also advised council to avoid charging water utilities when doing surveys and when having their land titled because they are partners who should be working together.
And Mr Kalusa has advised water utilities to investigate employees for the illegal connections they usually face as most of them are conducted by its employees.
Mr Kalusa also toured NWSS connections in Bulangililo and Chipata Township where he commended the water utility for being on course in ensuring access to water and sanitation services.
