THE Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Zambia has launched the construction works of the US$355 million Mazyopa-Bombay drainage project in Lusaka.
This is under the United States (US)-funded Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project (LWSSD).
US Ambassador to Zambia Eric Schultz said the works were a culmination of the hard work realised through a strong partnership between the US and the Zambian governments.
Mr Schultz said the works were intended to expand access to water and improve the reliability of water supply, sanitation and drainage services in Lusaka.
He was speaking yesterday during the ground-breaking ceremony for works on the Bombay drainage in Lusaka’s Garden Township.
“What we are launching today will focus on increasing the capacity of the Bombay drainage in order to safely manage the excess rain water flow and protect Mazyopa Township from improved drainage initiatives upstream,” Mr Schultz said.
He said the drainage being constructed would safeguard the community’s health as it would help diminish rubbish build-up and reduce standing water.
Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo commended the US government for the $355 million grant to the Zambian Government to support the implementation of the LWSSD.
Mr Kampyongo said the LWSSD was aimed at expanding access to improve the reliability of water supply and sanitation in communities.
“On behalf of Government, I want to reassure the expectant residents and the American government that we will continue to provide all the necessary support required to implement the project on time,” he said.
Mr Kampyongo urged the Lusaka City Council to ensure that the drainage infrastructure was maintained and protected.
He also urged Lusaka residents to desist from disposing of litter in the drainage as they were direct beneficiaries of the project.
Ya good idea of making drainage after the passing on of more than 400 people due to Cholera.
PF had to wait 5 years to start this project exactly 90 days before elections? I thought their Pabwato was supposed to embarrass MMD in 2011 that drainage was so poor in Lusaka slums that canoes were necessary. And here we are in 2016 with cholera and dead voters!
Zambia…….tsk…………… tsk ………………breeding like sewerage rats!
I always despair when I see us mortgaging ourselves over crap and stuff we could be doing for ourselves. I will not even start to imagine that so much cash will not have anything to show for it in the next few months. And by the way, what about all those septic tanks and boreholes littered in peoples’ backyards?? That does appear to be a failure of governance to me, and an indication that the resort to begin to borrow or ask for grants is another admission of failure to manage our sanitation systems within our own capacity (which Zambia HAS) and professional potential (which Zambia HAS, too!!!). I cringe now…
thanks america, i hope american engineers and accountants follow this development i dont trust grz with all that money …………its a shame we have to wait for foriegners to clean our own country
@ copperbullet,
You could google MCC, then you will know that these funds are not really handled by GRZ. This is among undertakings with utmost transparency. Also check the history of MCC, this is not money which has just been granted today.
PF has borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars in the name of the same project on various occasions, what was done with that money??.
………and I thought the only thing the Americans have done in Zambia is the building of the American Embassy. Ba PF comment.
ECL uplifting people’s lives and this is what we call focus and development not bitterness and envy.
We are voting for a humble President and NOT the rich.
Come on garden residents, fill up all those drainage pits with litter after all, the Americans will come back to you for further assistance once chorela hits you. The question to PF government is ; do we need Grade 12 certificates to clean up little? Shame on you Zambians, l wish there was a way l could become something else, twasebana!
#litter not little ; malabishi
The ONLY agony is those doing the ground breaking have protective clothing BUT then you will find those working in the drainage will have nothing to wear.
No proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on those launching the project, i.e. no protective glasses, gloves and shoes – what an example!
At last!