Julius Phiri
April 02, 2013

The government of Zambia has developed a holistic and integrated National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Programme (NUWSSP) to cover the period 2011 to 2030.

Eastern Province Minister Malozo Sichone says among the targets by the Government in the vision 2030 was to have 80 percent to clean water supply by 2015 and 100 percent by 2030.

The minister was speaking at the commemoration of World Water Day held at Barclays Square in Chipata recently. He noted that up to 68 percent of Zambians should have access to sanitation by 2015 and 90 percent by 2030.

Mr Sichone said the Government has developed the rural water supply programme which focuses on increasing access to clean and safe water in all rural areas of the country under the local authorities.

Water reforms have produced significant impacts on development, including improvements to drinking water access
Water reforms have produced significant impacts on development, including improvements to drinking water access

He said Zambia has one of the highest proportions of urban population of approximately five million out of 13.3 million population.

“In order to service this population adequately, Government set up sector institutions such as National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) to regulate the sector under the water supply and sanitation ACT number 28 of the Laws of Zambia,” he said.

Other institutions include ministry of energy and water resources for water resources management and Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) for environment protection.

In order to invest in water, Mr Sichone said approximately US$ 4.307 billion was required to ensure that Government successfully implement the National Urban and Sanitation Programme which had a target horizon of upto 2030.

He said the Government was currently still finalizing financing mechanisms.

The minister however directed assistant secretary Agness Chinyama to ensure that the Government departments pay the bills to Eastern and Sewerage Company (EWSC) Limited.

Mr Sichone also urged all consumers to pay for their services immediately they receive water bills from the company.

Over 780 million people in the world are still without access to improved sources of drinking water
Over 780 million people in the world are still without access to improved sources of drinking water

Speaking earlier Water Affairs Senior Hydrologist Chizya Mvula said this year’s theme was important as it was challenging everyone to get involved in water management as opposed to leaving it to water entities such as water affairs and Eastern Water and Sewerage Company.

Ms Mvula said water management cuts across all sectors and said there was need for everyone to get involved in order to increase awareness on water cooperation and challenges of freshwater management.

And Company Managing Director Wamuwi Changani commended everyone for get involved in water matters.

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