Mixed feelings on BWB water bowsers

There are mixed feelings among consumers in Blantyre over water that Blantyre Water Board (BWB) is supplying using bowsers as some locations are yet to be served two weeks after the Consumers Association of Malawi (Cama) gave the board a fortnight to improve or face protests.

During a media tour of affected townships organised by Cama yesterday, it was learnt that while in some areas the bowsers arrive on time as per communicated schedule, in some locations the bowsers have never been there.

Ketina Mawindo, a resident of Bangwe Mthandizi, said while water continues to be a problem in her location, a BWB water bowser just went there once and because there was chaos as people fought to be the first ones to draw water, it has never gone there again.

“We are being assisted with drinking water from surrounding companies such as Proto Feeds and some households located in BCA Hill where water is not a problem. For others who have got transport, we are getting our drinking water from as far as Nkando in Mulanje,” said Mawindo.

While that is the case at Bangwe Mthandizi, people from Namiyango are full of praise for BWB for keeping its promise. They said the bowsers were serving them on time as indicated in the schedule.

Agnes Maere from Soche Manje also expressed the same praise, saying water is not a big problem in the area as two days cannot go with their taps dry.

In Nkolokosa Township, residents also expressed satisfaction with BWB supply of water through bowsers, saying although the taps are usually dry; the water bowsers are coming correspondingly to the schedule.

Cama, which was supposed to lead consumers to hold demonstrations against BWB over water shortage early this month, suspended the same after agreeing to monitor if the board would live up to its promise of supplying Blantyre residents with water through boswers as well as publishing the schedule in the media.

Meanwhile, Cama executive director John Kapito is yet to comment on the assessment, but is expected to do so at a press conference today (Tuesday) morning.