Survey details NRWB shortfalls
An assessment by Kalondolondo on the delivery of water services in Mzuzu and Rumphi has faulted Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for poor service delivery.
The Kalondolondo programme engaged Mzuzu-based Youth Watch Society (YWS) and Rumphi HIV and Aids Education Awareness Programme (Reap) to assess NRWB delivery of services.
Disseminating the survey findings at an interface meeting in Mzuzu last Thursday, YWS Kalondolondo programme coordinator Edward Kantuseya said, among others, NRWB lacks contingency plan in managing water supply crisis.
He said NRWB does not have water bowsers to distribute water to the affected areas when there is a shortage.
Kantuseya said when they took up the issue with the board, they acknowledged the lack of water bowsers as one of its challenges.
He urged NRWB to act swiftly, saying intermittent power supply by Electricity Supply Cooperation of Malawi (Escom) will affect water supply as the board relies on electricity to pump water.
“As you know NRWB depends on power from Escom to pump water, with the current power outages, there is need for contingency plan apart from the supply tanks as most communities are experiencing water shortages,” said Kantuseya.
While not disputing the findings, NRWB environmental and water quality manager Lewis Banda said the board conducted an independent study a few months ago, with the outcome not different from Kalondolondo findings.
