The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation has embarked on the construction of a water scheme to provide piped water to three compounds and some public institutions in Kapiri Mposhi District.
The water project is part of the over K 4 million water project being rolled out in 11 districts of Central Province to provide safe and clean water to unserved settlements by the water utility, Lukanga Water and Sanitation Company in the region.
Kapiri Mposhi Town Council Public Relations Officer, Chris Mulaliki says once completed the water project will provide safe and clean water to over 70,000 people in Matilyo, Riverside and Fairview compounds.
Mr Mulaliki states that the project will also see public institutions that include Matilyo Primary and Secondary Schools and the clinic connected to the piped water network.
He has disclosed that households and the public facilities currently depend on shallow wells for water giving rise to high prevalence of diarrhea diseases in the areas.
“We want to commend the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation for funding this project under the 11 piped schemes in Central Province to connect Matilyo, Fairview and Riverside compounds and Matilyo school and clinic to water reticulation network because these areas have been experiencing water challenges for a long time now,” Mr Mulaliki says.
Mr Mulaliki has appealed to beneficiary communities to safeguard the water system against vandals.
And acting Council Director of Works, Lackson Mbao says the contract being executed by a local contractor, Capricorn Innovation LTD, will provide communal taps in the three compounds and public institutions.
” We have a network of two Kilometers to be serviced by pillar taps at public facilities and selected sites in the compounds surrounding these institutions so that people can easily access clean water once the project is completed,” Mr Mbao says.
Mr Mbao, who is also Kapiri Mposhi District Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator, notes that the water project will enhance hygiene levels and reduce the burden of waterborne diseases in the areas.
“This project will help curb diarrhea diseases that have been prevalent. Statistics from the Clinic has shown an increase in diarrhea diseases so this project is important in helping alleviating this issue of diseases,” Mr Mbao says.
And Matilyo Secondary School acting Head Teacher, Musonda Lumbwe has commended government for providing an alternative source of clean and safe water saying for some time now pupils totaling over 2000 and teachers have been using water from a shallow well which frequently dries up.
“We don’t have a stable source of water…we had a well which dried up sometime back so the coming of this project is really going to help…. especially where there are alot of people like this school,” Mr Musonda says.
