The Zambian government on Monday launched the US$63 million (about K328 billion) Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Project in Kitwe with a directive to all councils to demolish illegal structures countrywide. Local Government and Housing Minister Nkandu Luo, who launched the project yesterday, directed that all illegal structures be demolished immediately. Prof Luo said she did not take pleasure in being scolded by President Michael Sata on issues of illegal land allocation.

She said it was partly for this reason that all illegal structures should be brought down with immediate effect. Illegal structures have contributed to the collapse of the water and sewerage system as they have been erected on pipes and other installations. “I don’t care if people say the Government is cruel when we demolish the structures because we want sanity and rule by the law. We will go ahead and bring down all illegal structures until you sing hallelujah,” she said.

Prof Luo said the Patriotic Front (PF) Government was elected to work hard and make a difference to people’s living standards. She directed councils to take stock of their assets and ensure that all playing parks that had been allocated as plots were repossessed.

She also directed the councils to implement the Public Health Order Act and ensure that all those handling food were screened and certified. “Even those selling bananas and vegetables should produce certificates to ensure that there is less transmission of infections and diseases,” Prof Luo said.
The US$63 million project will provide quality water and sewage services to more than one million residents in Buchi Township.

Professor Luo said it was unfortunate that the same people that have built illegal structures on water points complained of lack of water supply. The project seeks to rehabilitate and expand water infrastructure, which include installation of customer water metering on all properties.

It would also strengthen capacity of NWSC and provide project management and audit services.
The function was attended by Labour Deputy Minister, Rayford Mbulu, Agriculture and Livestock Deputy Minister, Luxon Kazabu and Kamfinsa Member of Parliament, Moses Chishimba.

Kitwe District Commissioner, Elias Kamanga, Town Clerk, Bonwell Luanga and Mayor, Chileshe Bweupe, also attended the function. NWSC managing director, Diana Makwaba said the water utility company was eager to develop the water and sanitation system but faced challenges which included huge debts, pollution of raw water sources and old dilapidated and over-loaded infrastructure.

Other challenges were vandalism, theft, extension of services to new development and peri-urban areas.
African Development Bank country representative, Freddie Kwesiga said the bank would continue supporting the water and sanitation sector because of its significance to the country’s economy.
Dr Kwesiga said with better water and sanitation services, people would become more productive as they would spend less time fetching water.

Source: Times of Zambia