Water Development and Irrigation Minister Anita Kalinde has asked Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to stop keeping their ‘customers in the dark’ about projects they are undertaking to improve water supply.
Kalinde was speaking in Blantyre on Friday after visiting projects BWB is undertaking in the city.
She said President Joyce Banda is concerned about BWB’s failure to effectively communicate whenever there are water challenges.
“You have locations within the city where water can run out for two days. Yet, people barely know the cause of such a problem and neither do they have an idea when the problem will end. This is not fair. You need to improve your relations with the customers. They must know in advance so that they can prepare,” she said.
Kalinde advised the board to use water bowsers in the event of dry taps.
BWB director of technical services Mavuto Chiipanthenga said the board appreciates the concerns raised by the minister.
“To us, the concerns are a point of reflection. We will build on what we have done before to draw strength so that we can improve and satisfy the needs of our customers,” he said.
He added that apart from the European Union (EU) funded Water Project, which aims at increasing generation of water at Walkers Ferry—the board is also constructing 5 000 square metres reservoir at Kameza, Chigumula and Chimwankhunda.
“There are a number of developments and we hope that if done, we will begin to experience a great change in water service delivery in the city,” he said.
