Communities grill govt on lack of safe water
People from senior village head Gaga in Chikhwawa on Friday grilled government on lack of potable water in the area, saying the situation could lead to waterborne diseases.
Gaga told Chikhwawa duty bearers during an interfaith meeting held at his village.
The chief said over 14 000 people use 18 boreholes, most of which are not functioning.
“Where in Malawi have you seen over 14 000 people using 18 boreholes when the recommended ratio is one to 250? We want to know what government is doing to deal with the problem,” asked Gaga.
But director of planning and development (DPD) in the district Kelvin Harawa assured the communities that government was aware of water problems people face.
“This year, with funding from Water for People, we are drilling 60 boreholes and next year, we will drill 70. We will also have 10 boreholes from Vale, a company which is constructing a railway in T/A Chapananga.
“In total, Chapananga will have 140 boreholes come 2015,” said Harawa.
Joseph Chamambala, district National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust officer, said they have also partnered Water Aid in implementing Water Sanitation for Hygiene (Wash) project for three years.
“It is our expectation that as the project phases out next year, people from Changoima, Chithumba and Gaga through ‘Liwu la Anthu a Kumudzi’ project in 116 villages, will have access to safe water,” he said.
