Chambeshi water taken to task

Government has taken took to task the water and sewerage company in Nakonde over its failure to constantly pump and supply water to the residents of Nakonde district.

Muchinga province minister Gerry Chanda is saddened that Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company has failed to provide the service to the people of the border town.

Colonel Chanda made the observation when he toured the company in Nakonde yesterday in the company of the area member of parliament Abel Sichula and Nakonde district commissioner James Singoyi.

The provincial minister who demanded an explanation from the Chambeshi water clerk of works Edward Magawa expressed sadness over the current state of affairs.

Col. Chanda said the utility company has over the year’s demonstrated inefficiency in providing water to the residents of Nakonde and Muchinga province in general.

He observed that workers at the utility company have a casual attitude towards work at the expense of  delivering service to the residents in the area.

 

Col. Chanda further explained that water remains an essential commodity which people should access at all costs.

And Government says it is worried with the increased water leakages in the water supply system in the township.

Muchinga Province Minister Colonel Gerry Chanda says it was uneconomical to pump water which will not be supplied to the residents when government is spending a lot of money towards water projects.

Meanwhile, area member of parliament Abel Sichula threatened the utility company of being replaced by a competitor that will be able to meet the water demands of the residents  if it fails to change the poor work culture.

Mr. Sichula said the water company has failed to find a lasting solution to the water problem that has affected the district for a long time now despite government interventions.

And Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company Clerk of Works Edward Magawa said the erratic water supply currently being experienced in the district has been caused by a broken down pump and a leakage on the main tank.

Mr. Magawa assured the minister that replacement of the spare part will be done soon as it has already been procured from Lusaka at a cost of KR10, 000.

He explained that shortage of water in some areas is as a result of rundown equipment that connects the pump and the motor.

Col. Chanda who is on a familiazation tour of the province also took time to visit the new dam site where water reticulation system plant is currently under construction by Shaftex Construction Company at a total cost of about KR38 million.

Meanwhile, Shaftex construction company project manager Joseph Mutale pointed out that the project which commenced in December last year is expected to be completed in September, 2013.

 

Mr. Mutale disclosed that the project has been fully funded by the government but that works have delayed due to certain omissions in the initial project design.