SRWB counts K3 billion loss to Cyclone Freddy
Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) says it has lost K3 billion worth of property and infrastructure to Cyclone Freddy which has affected its operations.
The board’s chairperson Brown Mpinganjira said this on Tuesday when Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation Liana Kakhobwe-Chapota visited SRWB’s water supply scheme at Muloza Border Post in Mulanje.
He said: “We have been hit very hard. That’s why we are not able to supply water to our customers and as long as we are not able to supply water, then we do not exist.
“We need serious financial assistance. It’s too early to say the exact amount, but some of the estimates that have been done indicate K3 billion. These are figures that we cannot raise instantly. We will require massive assistance from government to restore our capacity to provide clean water.”
Mpinganjira also said they fear waterborne diseases could rise due to lack of safe water.
In her remarks, Kakhobwe-Chapota said the damage was huge and disturbing. She said: “The water infrastructure has been damaged. This is why the operation and delivery services have been disturbed. We will meet the technicians who are already on the ground to see how we can respond to the situation.
“We are eager to move very fast so that we can help Southern Region Water Board to restore the damaged water infrastructure so that people can get access to clean water as soon as possible.”
Blantyre Water Board was also unable to supply water to its customers after its infrastructure such as pipes were damaged by the cyclone.
The board resumed water supply on Tuesday after 10 days, but cautioned that the water is not yet good for drinking
