Maravi

Water supply in E/Province improves

Water supply in E/Province improves
Written by Christopher Miti in Chipata
Saturday, September 12, 2009 2:06:23 AM

EASTERN Water and Sewerage Company (EWSC) has said water supply in the province has started improving although the company is still facing a number of challenges.
And EWSC has said it will use the 6.3 million euros funding to improve water situation in the province.

EWSC public relations manager Mike Daka said most houses that had no water had been connected in most parts of the province.

“The water situation in the province is starting to improve although it’s a very big challenge. Chadiza so far has improved, most of the houses which were not receiving water have started, we are yet to improve again. Right now we have engaged water affairs to clean up the boreholes in Chama. I think that exercise will take about five to six days, then that will actually improve on the water situation,” Daka said.

He said EWSC was also cleaning up the water system in Katete district to ensure that water provision improved.

Daka further said the water situation in Mambwe district was good but that EWSC would now embark on the expansion of the water network systems.

And Daka said the 6.3 million euros that the government had mobilised through financial corporation with the Federal Republic of Germany would be used to improve the water networks.

“..We will be doing it in phases, the funding has come for phase one for four districts which is Chama, Lundazi, Petauke and Mambwe. The actual funding has not yet been made. We are yet to receive the funding either this month or beginning of next month but we are at tendering stage. So far, we have even got consultants who have come from Germany,” he said.

Daka also said the water company still faced problems because some customers, including government departments, were not settling bills as expected.

Recently, EWSC revealed that government institutions owed the company K2.6 billion in unpaid water bills.

According to the EWSC report to the Provincial Development Coordinating Committee meeting held at Luangwa House recently, as at July 30, 2009, the outstanding amount due was K2, 629,297,461.95.

The report indicated that some institutions had not paid water bills from as far back as August 2004, citing lack of funds and poor service delivery by the company.

Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, EASTERN WATER AND SEWAGE COMPANY, MIKE DAKA

posted by MrK @ 1:09 AM