NRWB secures K5.4bn water plant for Chitipa

Chitipa is in line for an ambitious plant, which is expected to significantly improve access to tap water to 21 000 connections by 2030, up from just 2 000 that are active presently, a Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) official has said.

NRWB project coordinator Khumbo Mwafulirwa said construction of the $12 million (K5.4 billion) plant is expected to get underway by June this year and will be completed in 18 months.

The strongest guarantee came when the water supplier’s board chairperson Peter Mwanza and traditional authorities signed an agreement for better management of the environment.

The project will be funded to the tune of $10 million (K4.5 billion) from the Arab Development Fund (Badea) and $2 million (K900 million) from government.

It is intended to improve water supply at Chitipa Boma where water problems are so massive that the district hospital spends days with dry taps, according to district commissioner Grace Chirwa.

Mwafulirwa said the water supply system earmarked to be constructed in 18 months is also expected to cater for 9 000 locals along the pipeline.

The targeted communities in the district include Mwenechiula, Kabotola, Kalenge, Tondola, Kapoka, Chipwera and Lufita.n