PF Secretary General Davies Mwila says government has been in discussions with JICA and the African Development Bank (ADB) to provide US$350 million for the implementation of the Lusaka City Water Supply Improvement project.

And Mwila says PF government is further implementing the Lusaka Sanitation Programme which will involve among other things, construction and rehabilitation of sewer networks and provision of sanitation facilities in public institutions.

In PF’s weekly news letter to News Diggers! Mwila stated that the PF government attached strategic importance to the water and sanitation sector as a tool of economic diversification.

He cited an example of the increased national budget allocation to the sector from 1.2 percent in 2015 to 2.3 percent this year.

“In line with the 7NDP, the PF government increased national budget allocation to water and sanitation from 1.2 percent absolute share of the National Budget in 2015, to 2.3 percent share of the 2019 National Budget – the highest ever budgetary allocation for the sub-sector. This signals the strategic importance the PF government attaches to this sector as a tool of economic diversification and employment creation,” Mwila stated.

He stated that the PF government was implementing numerous projects and programmes which would facilitate the achievement of the 7NDP strategic objectives; and ultimately the Vision 2030 objective.

Mwila listed some of the projects implemented by government under the water and sanitation sector.

“The PF Government mobilized funds amounting to US Dollar 355 Million from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) of the United States of America to implement the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project. The project involves the improvement of water supply, sanitation and drainage systems in selected townships of Lusaka city and strengthening the institutional capacity of Water Utility companies. The project will benefit more than 1.2 million people,” he stated.

“Also, government is implementing the “Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Programme” in Northern, Muchinga, Luapula and Western Provinces – targeting 12 districts in these provinces, namely: Mbala, Kasama, Mpika, Nakonde, Samfya, Kawambwa, Mwense, Mansa, Kaoma, Mongu, Senanga and Sesheke. This is a 48-months project, costing US$150 Million – with government counterpart funding and a US$1.6 Million Grant from MIC TAF. This Project aims at increasing access to quality, safe and reliable water supply and sanitation for people in the areas. This Programme shall improve the livelihoods and health of over 930,000 people in the targeted districts.”

And Mwila stated that government had been discussing with JICA and ADB to provide US$350 Million for the implementation of the Lusaka City Water Supply Improvement project due to increasing demands for water supply in the city.

“Due to increasing demand for water supply in Lusaka city as outlined in the Lusaka Water Supply Masterplan, the PF Government has been discussing with JICA and the African Development Bank to provide US Dollar 350 Million for the implementation of the Lusaka City Water Supply Improvement Project. The project is expected to commence by April 2020. The project will involve the construction of: intake facility works, raw water transmission pipeline, treated water booster pump stations at the Water Treatment Plant, a treated water transmission pipeline from Kafue to Lusaka, Water Treatment Plant, and expansion of the water distribution network in selected areas,” Mwila stated.

He further stated that the PF government was also implementing the Lusaka Sanitation Programme having mobilized funds amounting to US$300 Million from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union and kfW.

Mwila stated that the programme would involve: construction and rehabilitation of sewer networks, pump stations and treatment plants; provision of sanitation facilities in public institutions;among other things.

“The PF Government is also implementing the Lusaka Sanitation Programme, having mobilized funds amounting to US Dollar 300 Million from the World Bank, African Development Bank, European Union and kfW. The programme will involve: construction and rehabilitation of sewer networks, pump stations and treatment plants; provision of sanitation facilities in public institutions; construction of faecal sludge management systems; strengthening of Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company’s (LWSC) operation and maintenance of sewers; enhancing the capacity of LWSC, Lusaka City Council, the responsible Ministry for water and sanitation, and other stakeholders,” stated Mwila.