Blantyre Water Board has embarked on a project to construct a 600-metre road to Mzedi Dumpsite in Kachere Township.
Speaking on Tuesday during inspection tour of the project, Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia said the project, under the Water and Sanitation Project (MWSP1), seeks to enhance sanitation and hygiene in Blantyre City.
“We are confident that the project will be completed as expected and will significantly improve sanitation conditions in the city,” she said.
The minister also hinted at plans to construct a larger waste management facility in Chigumula that will incorporate modern technology and recycle materials to provide a sustainable solution to waste management in the city.
On his part, Blantyre Water Board chairperson Joel Ching’ani emphasised that the project will address access to the dumping site, thereby reducing improper waste disposal.
“During the rainy season, the road to the site is impassable, forcing people to dump waste along the way,” he said.
Ching’ani also reaffirmed the board’s commitment to providing clean and safe water to semi-urban residents.
“We did not raise water tariffs in semi-urban communities to ensure access to clean water for everyone, regardless of location,” he said.
Funded by the International Development Agency of the World Bank, the K1.5 billion project is expected to be completed by January 2025.
Malawi experienced one of the worst cholera outbreaks between March 2022 and April 2023.
Poor waste management and limited access to clean water exacerbate waterborne diseases such as cholera.
