Government has with immediate effect reduced water kiosks price at Kipushi Border Post following complaints from residents and traders.
The people complained that the K400 they were being charged for a 20 litre container was too much saying they could not afford and this left the facilities under utilized.
Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba, who announced the development today in the area , said the reduced cost from K400 to K200 per 20 litre was with immediate effect.
He said that even though the cost of water supply was high, the kiosks will remain white elephants because they are not being utilized.
The Permanent Secretary made the pronouncement during the familiarization tour of the Kalindi water plant at Kipushi in Solwezi
yesterday.
He said government will find ways of mitigating the cost of production and supply by the department of water affairs bearing in mind that the cost is higher than the revenue.
Northwestern Province water engineer George Njobvu told Mr Mumba that the department is looking for ways of sustaining the water plant as well as the supply to the border community.
Mr Njobvu said the department has developed a system as an interim measure and is considering engaging the private sector through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) so that the project is sustained.
Meanwhile, Construction of the K1.4 billion modern Kipushi border post in Solwezi district is almost complete.
Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary revealed that the border post which will house departments of Immigration, customs and the Zambia Police Service is 95 percent complete with only external works remaining.
Speaking after touring the structure, yesterday, Mr Mumba expressed happiness with the quality of work done by the contractor, Jaid’s construction of Solwezi.
Mr Mumba said the new post will provide decent working environment to the officers and was hopeful that this will contribute to motivation of officers and improved service delivery.
Northwestern Regional Immigration Officer Haachibamba Munamonga said Kipushi border post was one of the busiest posts in the province adding that it collects revenue of between US$ 15 000 and US$ 22 000 per month.
Mr Munamonga thanked government for the efforts it is making in providing decent office accommodation to its officers.
Meanwhile, Government is constructing 7 houses at a cost of K 1.7 Billion for immigration, customs, health and Zambia police service
officers working at Kipushi border post.
Two of the seven three bedroomed houses have been roofed.
Jaid’s Construction Managing Director Naresh Chavda said the houses will be complete and ready for occupation by the end of July thisyear.
Northwestern Province Permanent Secretary Fabian Mumba said government is committed to improving the livelihoods of its workers by providing decent housing accommodation.
ZANIS
Campaign strategy!!!!!!!!!!! All these development projects you are seeing now will have a devastating impact after the elections. Wait and see!!!!! The question one should him/herself is why now?????????????????? and where has the money come from????????????
Cheap campaign tactics. Too late. Why now. #1, I agree with you.
This border post..borders zambia with which country? Is Mpombo MP their? what is he doing in the picture. But please the police post hahaha…my ass, thus why Mushota cannever come back to Zed.
The headline is confusing: Are people in Kipushi buy “water kiosks” for them to complain about their price, or they are buying “water at kiosks” whose high price they are complaining about???
Ba LT, I think the Headline should read: “Government reduces water prices at kiosks in Kipushi to promote their use.” A little bit of editing could work miracles for you guys—how painful!!!!!
This is just an example of how journalism has died in Z. The writer makes it seem we understand what he is talking about when he tells us Govt “has reduced  has with immediate effect reduced water kiosks price at Kipushi Border Post ”
But water is not sold in Kiosks all over Z so this needs explanation. who sells the water? to who and Why? When you are used to state house dicktating to you what to wriite youu are lost when Dickson Jere is not there to explain things for you. Journalists, wake up the coffee is still there to be smelt!
I beg your pardon. What is a water kiosk and why are people being charged to draw water?
#3 we have Kipushi as a border post between Zambia and DRC!
Send them solar geyser kioks lol . . . That police post oh my we can do better as a nation. Almost 50 years after Independence?