Zambia: New Water Project Launched

JULIUS PHIRI
February 24, 2017

NYIMBA Member of Parliament (MP) Olipa Mwansa has commended Eastern Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC) and Devolution Trust Frund (DTF) for remaining committed to improve the lives of the people through the provision of quality water.

Ms Mwansa was launching the K2.5 million water supply project financed by the DTF in Nyimba. She noted that lack of access to clean water supply and sanitation services has a negative social and health impact on the Zambian population.

She said water supply and sanitation was not only a necessity but also a human right that if neglected could lead to loss of the lives.

“It is for this reason that the supply of quality water services to the people of Eastern Province is of great importance to Eastern Water and Sewerage Company Limited,” she said.

Ms Mwansa said the Government has continued to improve the water accessibility to all Zambians through the engagement of external donors to invest in the water supply and sanitation Infrastructure
development programmes in the country.

She said Government through the ministry of water, sanitation and environmental protection was overwhelmed by the demands for safe water in Nyimba district.

The World Health Organisation specifies 50 liters of water per person per day as the recommended ‘intermediate’ quantity needed to maintain health, hygiene and for all domestic uses

She said according to the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) annual report of 2015, a total of population of 83.8 percent in urban areas were being served with urban water supply while 60.7 percent were being served with adequate sanitation at national level.

Ms Mwansa noted that the figures were low stating that there was need to improve water supply and sanitation services in the country in order to achieve the vision 2030 of universal coverage.

Ms Mwansa said Government has continued going into partnership with cooperating partners on opening the doors for the rapids spread of improved water supply in both rural and peri-urban areas.

Currently the company has a customer base of 700 households adding that the 400 households were expected to benefit from the project.

Ms Mwansa however said there was still a shortfall of 600 households in areas such as Kacholola and Chipembe.

She pledged to lobby for more funds to cater for the remaining population so that they could access to clean water and sanitation services.

Speaking earlier, EWSC Managing Director Lytone Kanowa said the launch of the project was a Big milestone to the people of Nyimba.

Mr Kanowa said his company was currently providing water in seven districts of Eastern Province a well as Chama district in Muchinga Province.

He said he was happy that the company had the capacity of providing treated water to its customers.
Mr Kanowa said it was disheartening that some people had not yet utilised the services the company by connecting water to their houses.

The managing director said today his company had no districts physical presence in Sinda and Vubwi due to lack of water supply network.

And Chief Ndake of the Nsenga People of Nyimba urged all beneficiaries to pay their bills on time so that the company continue supplying quality water services.

He said the connection of water was a dream come true to the people of Nyimba district.

Zambia: Eastern Water and Sewerage Company Limited Scoops a K10 Million Award

Julius Mandaliza Phiri and
Henry Kashoki Nsofwa
December 16, 2012

Eastern Water and Sewerage Company Limited scooped a K10 million award for the best performing Commercial Utility in Peri-urban category and the Company was also recognized for excellence in performance in metering ratio and hours of supply.

The award and certificates were received at the launch of Urban and Peri- Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report 2011 and 2012 in Lusaka at Intercontinental Hotel.

Managing Director, Wamuwi Changani received the award and certificates on behalf of the Company.

After receiving the award and certificates, the Managing Director attributed the achievements to team work and looked forward to receiving the overall award if staff continued working together.

There is increased need for investing in sanitation and water suplly in LDCs to end water scarcity

Speaking at the launch of the Sector report, Minister of Local Government and Housing, Emerine Kabanshi said the launch of the report was very critical as it enabled commercial utilities to reflect on their contribution to the improvement of the provision of clean and safe drinking water and proper sanitation services.

The Minister said the launch also provided an opportunity to evaluate strategies in the sector and deal with the challenges that are being experienced in service delivery. She said it was the priority of the government to improve the provision of clean and safe drinking water and sanitation throughout the country.

The launch was attended by all Commercial Utilities Chief Executives and their Public Relations Managers and Officers.

Eastern Water and Sewerage Company Limited is looking forward to having a fully-fledged procurement department in order for the Company to be certified by Zambia Public Procurement Authority.

Managing Director, Wamuwi Changani said this when he officially opened a two day procurement workshop for Head office Management staff and tender committee members at Eastern Comfort Lodge on 20th September 2012.

Changani said that he was happy that the workshop was taking place as this was part of the fulfillment of the strategic plan of the company .

Changani said the procurement department was still in its infancy stage and for this reason needed to be strengthened. He said the Company was depending on the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to tender any procurement above K500 million.

He looked forward to the situation where the Company would be able to handle big procurements.

He, therefore called on the staff and tender committee members to take the workshop seriously as the success of the workshop de-pended on their participation.

“Let us put in all we can so that we can achieve our objectives,” he said.

He further urged the staff to share the skills with district staff so that even districts staff could have the same information.

Giving a vote of thanks , Tender Committee member, Davies Mwanamoya thanked the Zambia Public Procurement facilitators for the skills imparted in the participants. Mwanamoya said the skills received had made it clear on how the tender and evaluation committees were supposed to be working. He said with the skills given the tender Committee would handle tender procedures professionally.