NRWB unveils K19bn project

Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) has unveiled a multibillion kwacha project to modernise and expand water supply in Karonga.

Speaking during a meeting with district executive committee on Monday, NRWB director of finance Francis Munthali said  engineering works worth $26.7 million (about K19.4 billion), will begin in August if Parliament authorises loans.

He said Opec Fund for International Development (Ofid) and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea) have committed to bankroll the project to the tune of $15 million (about K10.8 billion) and $10 million (about K7.3 billion), respectively.

Government, through NRWB, will invest $ 1.7 million (K1.2 billion).

The project includes replacement of the existing pipeline with bigger ones and upgrading of water treatment plants, he said.

NRWB also plans to expand access to potable water by extending the current system southwards to Mlare Trading Centre and Pusi in the north.

He explained: “For many years, we have been supplying water mainly at Karonga Boma.

“We want to upgrade the system because our equipment was installed sometime, but the population and demand for potable water keep growing every day.”

Karonga District Council chairperson Harry Mwanyembe said improved access to water will improve sanitation and reduce outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including cholera which has affected 237 people and killed four in the district since November.

NRWB has nearly 6 000 customers out of 63 000 people living in Karonga. n