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AfDB suspends water project over safety

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has suspended disbursement of funds to the Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project over concerns of the contractor not complyingwith health and safety requirements.

The suspension follows an accident that claimed the life of a boy who allegedly drowned in one of the open pipeline trenches at Chilambwe site following incessant rains that filled up the trenches before pipes were laid.

A water tank under construction on the project site

The development has forced Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) to suspend the execution of the works until the health and safety requirements are met.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the board said it is working closely with the consultant and contractor China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation and the affected communities to address all the concerns and issues.

Reads the statement in part: “Following this, the African Development Bank has suspended disbursements under the contract and advised the NRWB to suspend the execution of the works under the contract until the health and safety requirements are met.”

The suspension casts doubt on whether the project will be completed by October as the contractors had earlier assured the Ministry of Water and Sanitation.

Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia on Sunday said she was informed about the suspension of the project and will be following up on the matter.

NRWB public relations manager Edward Nyirenda said the suspension will delay further completion of the project.

However, he said NRWB will ensure that they expedite the works once the suspension is lifted.

In May last year, 51-year-old Chinese national Chen Shiliang, who was working for the contractor, was arrested for sexually assaulting two female workers at one of the water project sites.

The Mzuzu Senior Resident Magistrate’s Court asked Chen to pay K2.8 million, which comprised K800 000 fine and K1 million compensation to each woman or serve two-years in jail for sexual harassment.

The project involves rehabilitating, upgrading and expanding the existing Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply System and provision of solid and liquid waste management facilities to provide reliable and sustainable potable water and sanitation services.

The existing water supply system will be extended to Kapingama to the north, Chisu to the north west, Mpamba to the west, Chombe to the south west, Chizi to the south east and Sanga to the south.

It will benefit over 150 000 residents of Nkhata Bay and surrounding areas.

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