Board launches K17bn water, sanitation project
Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) has launched a K17 billion water and sanitation project in Mzimba to improve the health and livelihood of the population in the district.
To set the ball rolling for the project called Mzimba Integrated Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Project, NRWB has officially handed over sanitation equipment worth K72 million to M’mbelwa District Council (Mzimba) and signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) relating to management of the equipment.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Thursday, NRWB director of people and culture Dongakhulu Hlongo said the project will provide sustainable water supply and improved sanitation, thereby contributing to the socio-economic growth of the country.
On the sanitation and hygiene component, Hlongo said the board has set aside K500 million for the construction of a solid waste disposal facility and pit latrines in markets and schools.
He said: “For us this is a unique project. Unique in two ways. Firstly, at $22.85 million, it is the biggest single project to be implemented at once by the board.
“Secondly, it is the first project to be implemented by the board that combines both water infrastructure development as well as the sanitation and hygiene component.”
Mzimba district commissioner (DC) Thomas Chirwa said the district has challenges in solid waste management due to lack of equipment and facilities.
Some of the materials the board handed over include 20 wheelbarrows, 20 shovels, 20 rakes, 20 pairs of gumboots, 20 pairs of heavy duty gloves, 20 heavy duty face masks, 25 garbage bins and a solid waste collection vehicle.
The project is jointly funded by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (Opec) Fund for International Development (Ofid), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Malawi Government.
