Nkolokoti-Kachere Water Users Association (WUA) has seen its water sales increasing to K28 million (about $82 352) in the year ended December 31 2012, a 34-percent jump from the previous year’s record of K21 million (about $61 764).
This is contained in the audit report presented this week by the association’s board chairperson, Sheikh Jaffar Kawinga.
Nkolokoti-Kachere WUA is the first association in Blantyre and it supplies potable water to over 15 000 people in Nkolokoti, Kachere and South Lunzu, among other areas.
Kawinga said since its establishment four years ago, revenue collection has continued to grow, adding that the association is now looking into growing its assets.
“As an association, we want to ensure that we manage our water kiosks so that people can continue to get potable, affordable and clean water. We are also looking into growing our assets further,” he said.
Kawinga added that they also plan to build pay toilets at Makhetha, Mkwepu, Khama and Chikopa markets to boost revenue.
The association is also planning to construct new kiosks, he said.
Nkolokoti-Kachere WUA’s growth in assets is also reflected in the land it bought at K660 000 (about $1 941) for the construction of the association’s office. It also earmarked K450 000 (about $1 323) for building a water tank at Kachere Township and K301 000 (about $885) for building a water kiosk shelter, among others.
The association spent K2.3 million (about $6 764) on projects in 2012, according to Kawinga at the associations’ annual general meeting (AGM).
Former kiosk manager for Blantyre Water Board (BWB), Moffat Banda, commended the association for the growth, saying Nkolokoti-Kachere WUA is one of the most successful WUAs.
“When this association started, there were outstanding bills for BWB, but the association managed to pay all the money that was owed. And now with the tanks that they are building, there will be continuity. Even when the water stops, people will still access from the tanks,” said Banda.
The association operated 57 kiosks in 2012, 36 of which are in the Nkolokoti Zone while the remaining 21 are in Kachere Zone.
Out of the total sales, Nkolokoti collected K18.1 million (about $53 235) while Kachere collected K10 million (about $29 411).
According to the audit report, total operational and capital expenditure came to K26 million (about $76 470), representing 92 percent of the total kiosk sales.
But low water pressure and persistent dry taps reduced the association’s revenue collections and income basis.
The association has also blamed BWB’s lack of repairs of faulty meters which resulted in many kiosks not being operational.This mean loss of revenue for the association.
The WUAs are formed in partnership with BWB, the Water for People and the Blantyre City Council.
The associations include Ndirande/Matope; Namiyango/Chigumula; Mitsidi/Sanjika and Chilomoni/Sigerege.
