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| A family spotted fetching water at a stream in Mporokoso district in Northern province |
Lusaka,
April 11, 2015, ZANIS---Government has said that it is doing everything
possible to provide clean and safe drinking water and better sanitation
services to the general public.
Minister
of Local Government and Housing John Phiri said government has since increased
budgetary allocation to the sector due to the significant contribution
it makes towards attaining sustainable socio-economic development of the
country.
Dr
Phiri said this last night when he launched the National Water Supply
and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) 2014 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply
and Sanitation Sector report in Lusaka.
He
noted that the launch of the NWASCO report served as a reminder that
water sector reform s have come of age in Zambia and sufficient results
must be produced to meet the growing demands of the people.
Dr.
Phiri observed that at the time of enactment of the national water
policy in 1994, only two water utility companies existed but now the
number has risen to 11.
He
said the development indicates that the provision of clean and safe
drinking water and adequate sanitation has been streamlined through a
clear institutional framework demonstrating tangible results of the
water sector reforms.
The
minister however said that government is aware that water
infrastructure across the country is dilapidated and obsolete to meet
the demand of a fast growing population.
Meanwhile
Dr Phiri has since directed his Ministry to sign performance contracts
with all water utility companies to bench mark their performance.
And
speaking at the same event, NWASCO Board Chairman, Levi Zulu disclosed
that the launch of the report marked 15 years of NWASCO’s existence in
regulating the water supply and sanitation sector.
Mr.
Zulu said the performance of the water and sanitation service providers
in 2014 is evidence of the progress the sector has made towards the
realization of universal coverage by 2030.
He
added that there has been improved service delivery in the water and
sanitation sector with national urban and Peri urban water coverage now
standing at 83.8% from 83.9% while sanitation coverage is at 60.7% from
58.7%.
And
NWASCO Director, Mr. Kelvin Chitumbo noted that water is essential and
the backbone of sustainable development as it is interlinked to health,
poverty and environmental degradation.
Apart from the launching 2014 report, NWASCO also gave awards to deserving journalists and Institution.
