Central Region Water Board (CRWB) acting chief executive officer John Makwenda says the board needs $26 million (about K2.1 billion) to complete the Senga Bay Water Project to supply water to the whole of Salima.
He said this on Monday in Salima during a meeting with the district’s elected officials organised by the board.
Makwenda said the board supplies water to 50 000 people around Senga Bay, but when the project is complete, it will serve 140 000 households in the district.
“We met elected officials such as parliamentarians and councillors as well as water users committees to explain to them the challenges we are facing to finish the project,” he said.
Makwenda said the water supply system they are using in the district was last rehabilitated in 2014.
“Over the years, the district’s population has increased. So, there is need to expand and rehabilitate the water supply system to meet the demand and we will need about $26 million [about K2.1 billion] for the project,” he said.
Salima North West legislator Enock Phale (Malawi Congress Party) described the meeting as fruitful.
He said: “The board has told us about its challenges to supply water to the district.
“The Senga Bay Water Project has stalled and we need to work together to find investors to revive it.”
Salima district commissioner representative Sellina Malaga expressed concern with the worsening water woes in the district, saying despite being close to the lake, residents depend on ground water.
“Salima District is a big town and has been proposed to be a city soon, but with the water problems, that will not be possible,” she said.
One of the residents, James Kathumba, commended CRWB for addressing stakeholders on the water challenges, but asked authorities to get a solution quickly.
