Govt determined to improve water supply in rural areas

A CIVIC leader in Chinsali District in Muchinga Province says government is determined to reduce the water burden both in rural and urban areas in order to improve the livelihoods of the people. Chinsali Mayor Thomas Mutale said this during the commissioning of over K100,000.00 Nambuluma Water Supply Project which was funded by the Local Municipality and Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company. The Mayor noted that the project will improve water supply in Nambuluma area which has been facing water challenges for many years. Mr Mutale stated that people in the area depended on shallow wells and other water sources that are not safe and were a source of water borne diseases. He added that the completion of the project has also brought development in the area saying the local authority is also implementing a number of projects in various areas in order to improve and provide better services to the people. Mr Mutale emphasised that the provision of adequate sanitation and hygiene services are the same with the provision of clean and safe drinking water hence the need to reduce both the disease burden and for a healthy and productive life. ”I am therefore appealing to all residents of Nambuluma specifically those from Mucheleka village to guard the facility jealously because this development is for the entire community”, He said. And speaking earlier, Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company Acting Managing Director Patrick Simukoko said his company stands ready to partner with the local authority and the community on ensuring that they deliver quality services to the people of Northern and Muchinga Provinces. Mr Simukoko said the Nambuluma water project will benefit over one thousand households adding that the project had also provided jobs to the local youths during its implementation. And speaking on behalf of others beneficiaries, Beatrice Poma of Mucheleka village, thanked Government for the gesture saying before, residents use to walk a distance of about 3 kilometers to the nearest water point. She has however called on other residents to work together with the local municipality and Government if they are to see development in their areas. – ZANIS. The Sun