Water crisis hits Mongu

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—Mongu residents have expressed displeasure with the continued erratic water supply in the township.


Irate Boma residents, who stormed ZANIS office today, complained that Mongu district has for many years remained without safe and adequate water supply despite the town being situated few kilometres from the Zambezi River.


Speaking on behalf of the infuriated residents, Richard Kwalombota said despite 50 years of independence people in Mongu district have been subjected to poor drinking water and appealed to the government to critically look into the water problem.


Mr Kwalombota noted that people in the district cover long distances to fetch  water usually at awkward hours such as 04:00hours in order to queue up for the commodity and avoid being late for work.


He accused Western Water and Sewerage Company (WWSC) which is the only water utility company of charging its customers exorbitant water bills when its taps are always dry.


And Henry Chola, a Kapulanga resident, noted that Kapulanga and Boma are the most affected areas in the province, adding that the situation may result into health hazard if not quickly addressed.


But when contacted by ZANIS for a comment, the water utility company managing director, Wamuwi Changani, said the shortages of water was due to the old pipes that have been there since 1979.


Mr Changani disclosed that the company is facing challenges and failing to deliver services to the expectation of the community because the pipes are corroded and blocked.

He added that the company was also losing out huge quantity of water through leakages.


Mr Changani has assured residents that by next year the company may resume its full normal operation as it has applied for external funding for capital investment to rehabilitate the water infrastructure in Mongu district and the Western province at large.


Last week, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing, John Kufuna, said in Parliament that Government has set aside huge amounts of money for recapitalization of water structure in Western Province.


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