Chikwawa requires 650 new boreholes

Chikwawa District requires about 650 new boreholes and rehabilitation of 200 others to enable its residents have access to safe water.

Water for People, a non-profit international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that promotes access to safe, clean and regular supply of water, made the observation in the district on Friday.

Water for People public health specialist Steve Kumwenda made the observation during the handover of two motorcycles, 14 bicycles and 10 sets of borehole pump spare parts to Chikwawa District Council.

He said: “Water for People, as a key partner for Chikwawa District, is in a five-year partnership agreement with the council to achieve water and sanitation coverage. We are currently drilling boreholes, but to reach the required number of boreholes will not only achieve by Water for People alone, but also through other development partners in the district.”

Kumwenda said since 2013, Water for People has drilled over 170 boreholes in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chapananga and has this year planned to drill 80 boreholes.

Each borehole, according to Kumwenda, costs the organisation roughly K3 million (US$6 667).

Chikwawa District Council principal administrative officer Annie Chilongozi said there still existed a big problem of access to safe water in the district, particularly in the areas of T/As Makhuwira, Ngabu and Lundu.