Engineers body backs Lake Malawi water project
Malawi Institution of Engineers (MIE) has backed the Salima-Lilongwe Water Project which seeks to pump water from Lake Malawi to the capital city, saying it is practically feasible.
The K400 billion ($500 million) project, which is expected to be implemented by Khato Civils Limited, is a Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) initiative which seeks to “avoid a looming water crisis in the capital city”.
Speaking during a public talk in Lilongwe, MIE president David Mzandu said: “From an engineering point of view, it is possible to pump water from the lake without any major challenges.”
The project has courted controversy with some analysts describing the cost of the work as too expensive while environmentalists and the Malawi Law Society are calling for a feasibility study to evaluate the possible damage it can cause to nature.
Mzandu said it was important to iron out the concerns of other quarters before it is implemented.
“There are cost and environmental issues surrounding the project. They must be addressed first, I think, so that when it gets underway all the parties must be satisfied,” he said.
During the talk organised by MIE Central Region Chapter, LWB chief executive officer Alfonso Chikuni made a presentation on the water situation in the city.
He warned that the city faces a crisis if there is no additional water source.
Currently, the board relies on the Kamuzu Dam, whose water levels have been dropping significantly in recent years. n
