LWB in first budget consultation meeting

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) at the weekend concluded its first-ever series of budget consultative meetings where customers have been contributing ideas towards improving service delivery.

LWB general manager Alfonso Chikuni said the meetings will go a long way in informing the board’s plans, strategies and budget for this year, which is in the formulation process.

“We are aware that the general public has been calling for improved service delivery with regard to water supply and other related services and we wanted our customers to contribute their expectations towards our mandate.

“Our main interest is to see improved service delivery in the city and that our customers are satisfied,” he said.

Chikuni stated that the meetings offered the board a platform to highlight and share with customers the current water supply situation, including projects in the pipeline.

“LWB is committed to improving every area in our performance and will make this an annual event,” he said.

In an interview, LWB public relations officer (PRO) Trevor Phoya raised a number of crucial issues needing urgent attention.

“Customers, among other things, wanted our field personnel to be increased, timely response to faults and information about water supply situation.

“They also wanted to be consulted in tariff adjustment and that they be sensitised on our tariff and billing structure, which they generally expressed ignorance about,” he said.

Phoya said LWB has lined up a number of interactive meetings this year where customer suggestions will be highly considered to satisfy their needs.

“As a long-term solution to the water supply problems in the capital city, LWB has identified Diamphwi River as a future source to supplement Lilongwe River, which is at risk of drying up due to massive deforestation at it source in Dzalanyama. n