BWB engages contractor for Likhubula project
Blantyre Water Board (BWB) has put pen to paper with India-based SMC Infrastructure Private Limited to undertake works in the Likhubula Water Supply System Project expected to pump water from Likhubula River in Mulunaje to the commercial city.
The K17 billion water supply project President Peter Mutharika launched last November is expected to benefit people from Blantyre and surrounding districts, including Chiradzulu and Thyolo, apart from Mulanje residents.
In a statement yesterday, BWB said the project is expected to produce an additional 20 million litres of water per day which she described as significant for the board’s supply area.
The board said the project is expected to be completed in 20 months.
The signing ceremony took place on Tuesday and was attended by Indian High Commissioner Suresh Kumar Menon, BWB board chairperson James Naphambo, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water regional water officer Philderia Moyo and other delegates.
The statement quotes BWB acting chief executive Henri Bakuwa as stating that the signing of the contract signified the final outcome of several months of hard work.
Two weeks ago, the project failed to roll out following alleged sabotage perpetrated by some community members due to disagreements with BWB.
David Majeweta, leader of the community members operating under the Citizens for the Protection of Mulanje Mountain (CPM), said in an interview that BWB failed to initiate their project due to the differences relating to, among others, failure to plant trees in a designated area.
However, the board maintains that it planted trees as per agreement. The board said the tree planting exercise is an ongoing project.
