150, 000 Chinsali residents to benefit from new water project

By NATION REPORTER The construction of Chinsali Water project in Muchinga Province has been completed and is expected to be commissioned next month. Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Raphael Nakacinda, says the project which is expected to benefit over 150, 000 residents, is also expected to create jobs for locals. Mr. Nakachinda said this yesterday in Chinsali after inspecting the water project that access to clean and safe drinking water will significantly contribute to reducing the diarrheal diseases. “The completion of the water project is clear proof of President Edgar Lungu’s aspirations to ensure that people have access to clean and safe drinking water,” Mr Nakachinda said. Meanwhile, Mr Nakachinda announced that plans to establish a water utility company in Muchinga Province have reached advanced stage. Currently, the province is serviced by Chambeshi Water Supply and Sanitation Company, which is also running Northern Province. Mr. Nakacinda notes that there is need to establish a utility company for Muchinga Province to ensure effective and efficient service delivery of water and sanitation services to the people. He urged the utility company to safeguard water infrastructure because provision of water supply is a cost undertaking. Mr. Nakachinda says utility companies should also come up rehabilitation programs of water infrastructure especially boreholes because repairing is equally a huge cost. And Chief Nkula of the Bemba speaking people of Chinsali has commended President Edgar Lungu’s development agenda. Chief Nkula cited the huge investment into the provision of safe and clean water. The traditional leader said this when Mr. Nakacinda paid a courtesy call on him at his palace before inspecting water infrastructure projects. Chief Nkula added that it  was gratifying to see the commitment President Lungu has attached to uplifting people’s living standards. Meanwhile, Muchinga Province Minister Malozo Sichone says it is only the Patriotic Front that has provided Chinsali residents with clean tap water when it came into power in 2011.