Minister inaugurates K98m water project

 Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia has inaugurated a K98 million solar-powered piped-water scheme in Chikwawa expected to serve over 4 000 households in three group village heads (GVHs) under Senior Chief Ngabu in the district.

The water project, implemented by Water for People in partnership with University of Strathclyde of Scotland with financial support

support from the Scottish government, will benefit communities of GVHs Tsamwa, Paiva and Meja.

Speaking during the event on Tuesday, Mia said she was delighted the communities now have access to potable water.

“It is government’s desire to see that every citizen has access to clean and potable water regardless of location,” she said.

Water for People country director Ulemu Chiluzi said the scheme, with one borehole, has a capacity to pump 150 000 litres of ground water and supply to 16 taps to serve over 4 000 households, including a primary school.

“This is one of the investments we are carrying out to deal with issues of salinity in Chikwawa. This year, with funding from Charity Water, we intend to invest in six more schemes,” he said.

Chikwawa district commissioner Ali Phiri said the project will prevent people from contracting waterborne diseases