By JOHN KOMBE
GOVERNMENT yesterday launched the K23mn Chongwe water improvement project which was meant to resolve the perennial water blues in Chongwe central.
Speaking during the commissioning of the project, Vice President, Inonge Wina hailed the people of Chongwe for being patient during the project period.
She alliterated the government’s commitment to providing safe and clean water in all communities. She therefore observed that the water improvement project would go a long way in providing safe and clean water for the people of Chongwe.
She also thanked the traditional leadership for providing land for the construction of requisite infrastructure which include: a water purification and a 27 kms water pipeline.
The Vice President further observed that the completed water project came at a cost whose value must be appreciated. She urged the residents to guard the infrastructure against vandalism.
She also urged the residents and other consumers to ensure that they pay their water bills and that this would ensure that the water utility company continued to provide the service without challenges.
And Minister of Water Development Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Raphael Nakachinda commended Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSSC) for implementing the project according to expectations.
He pointed out that the project would see an increase in the number of hours for water supply.
He said that the beneficiaries would now have 22 hours of water as opposed to the current 11 hours.
He emphasized government’s resolve to see every household access clean and safe water and that this was enshrined in government’s Vision 2030 whose objective was to provide clean and safe water supply and sanitation for all by 2030.
He commended the contractor for executing the project with commitment.
Chongwe member of parliament Japhen Mwakalombe thanked government for the milestone project. He stated that the district has had water problems for over two decades, a situation he said was unbearable. He was happy that the water facilities were constructed to alleviate the water crisis in Chongwe.
He observed that the people of Chongwe, especially women would no longer have to walk long distances or wake up early to fetch water.
And Senior Chifetainess Nkhomeshya thanked government for responding to the needs of the people and also thanked the people of Ntanishya village for allowing government to sink boreholes and construct a water purification plant in their area.
She said that her subjects had suffered for a long time and as such the commissioned project was highly appreciated.
She further pledged to continue working with the government of the day, a government she said was elected by the people.
She also urged the residents to ensure that the water facilities were protected from vandalism.
