Government has expressed unhappiness at media reports that people were still grappling with the Cholera epidemic due to unsafe drinking water.
Deputy Minister of Energy and Water Development Friday Malwa however said the provision of boreholes in most parts of the country had resulted in tremendous reduction in Cholera cases and other water borne diseases.
He was speaking at the official handover of a borehole by Celtel Zambia in Lusaka’s Kanyama residential area worth K20 million during celebrations to commemorate World
Water Day which falls today.
He said in today’s era access to clean drinking water was every citizen’s right and concerted efforts must be channeled towards ensuring that Zambians everywhere have
access to clean drinking water.
“George compound is one of the areas with notable reduction in Cholera cases, since the communal water points were introduced a few years back” he said.
During the same event, the Deputy Minister also applauded Celtel for itscontribution towards the creation of employment by empowering small businesses especially in communities such as Kanyama.
Mr Malwa said the company was playing an important role in improving Zambia’s infrastructural development and technological advancement.
He called upon other companies to emulate Celtel’s gesture and urged the residents to look after the borehole and guard it against vandalism.
“The community should look after this investment, therefore a committee must be formed to oversee the use, operation and maintenance of this important investment,”he said.
And Celtel Public Relations Officer Bridget Nundgwe said Celtel donated the borehole to Kanyama compound because of the support that the people of the area have given to the mobile phone company.
She said Celtel remained committed to making every Zambian life better through provision of products and services that suited the people’s needs.
Speaking at the same function, Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director George Ndongwe thanked Celtel for coming to the aid of the community and that its gesture would go a long way in helping the people of Kanyama especially the children obtain clean water.
The truth Irks because govt knows that it is mandated to provide sanitation to the people.I am so ashamed to read such comments by a govt official. Please fullfill the promises that you made and thats how you were elected by the people to do such.
Thanks to Celtel for helping your customers. For sure Celtel is everywhere.Thanks be to Celtel that am able to call my family in Zambia and give them my love.