APM launches K17bn BWB Likhubula project
President Peter Mutharika yesterday launched the K17 billion Likhubula Water Supply System project which is expected to help Blantyre Water Board (BWB) pump water from Likhubula water source on Mulanje Mountain.
BWB will then supply the water to Blantyre and surrounding districts such as Chiradzulu and parts of Thyolo. The water will also benefit people from the source, Mulanje.
Speaking at Pasani Primary School ground after unveiling the project’s plaque at Likhubula Forest ground, Mutharika described the project as a big national investment and is part of a bigger plan to develop Malawi.
He also tackled the current hunger and electricity supply problems the country is experiencing by outlining what government is doing to address the issues.
On hunger, Mutharika, who warned State-produce trader—Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc)—officials not to abuse maize available in their depots, said he is aware people did not harvest enough maize. He said government will do everything possible to ensure people have food and that no one dies of hunger.
Mutharika also highlighted a number of projects government is undertaking as well as some that he is expected to commission in the next two weeks to ensure blackouts become history in the country.
Commenting on the water project, BWB board chairperson James Naphambo said it involves drawing water from Likhubula River all the way to Nguludi Turnoff in Chiradzulu where there will be a treatment plant.
“We expect to bring 20 million litres of water per day from Mulanje and that water will be sent to Nguludi through gravitation. There will be no pumping of water from Mulanje.
“The time frame for the project is 18 months. We hope to start by 1st February 2017. At the moment we have met all the preconditions of the loan and we are at a stage where we are planning to advertise for tenders,” said Naphambo.
Four months ago, the project faced some opposition from community members under Citizens for the Protection of Mulanje Mountain (CPM). They blocked Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda when he wanted to visit the water source in July this year, arguing that government should first reafforest 3 500 hectares where trees were destroyed. The residents also wanted government to assure them that they will benefit from the project.
CPM secretary general David Majeweta said BWB will plant trees within the project’s catchment area at Chambe Basin instead of the 3 500 hectares.
The project got a $23.5 million (about K17 billion) line of credit from the Exim Bank of India to finance it.
