Ministry of Water and Sanitation has signed a deal with China Construction Second Engineering Bureau Company Limited to design and construct Lambilambi Dam in Mzuzu.
The $150 million (K168.9 billion project seeks to secure an additional water source for Mzuzu City at Lambilambi in Chikangawa Forest and expand the water supply system for the city and surrounding areas.
Speaking during the signing of the memorandum of understanding on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Kakhobwe Chapota said government wants to ensure that every Malawian has access to affordable potable and sustainable water.
She said: “The project is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of safe water for all and the nation’s aspirations contained in Malawi 2063.
“We can only achieve these aspirations if we invest in sustainable water projects such as the Lambilambi Dam project.”
China Construction managing director Tang Yingchu pledged to secure financing for the project for it to take off soon.
Northern Region Water Board chairperson Frank Mwenifumbo agreed that there is an urgent need to secure funds and start developing the dam as the city needs an additional water treatment plant.
“This dam will not just ease water pressure in Mzuzu, it will store water and restore hope for our children and generations to come,” he said.
The Lambilambi Dam will have the capacity to hold 16.4 million cubic metres of water while the new water treatment plant will have the capacity to process 42 500 cubic metres per day.
Currently, the Mzuzu City water supply system provides water to 143 143 people, which is 70 percent coverage, with Lunyangwa Dam as the only source.
Once completed, the new water facility will serve Mzuzu City and areas surrounding Mzimba Boma such as Mbalachanda, Euthini, Kafukule, Mpherembe, Eswazini, Lunjika, Enukweni, Ezondweni, Edingeni, Embangweni, Madise, Engucwini, Bila, Bulala, and Kamchocho.
