Government formulates water master plan
The Government of Malawi, with assistance from the Japanese government, has formulated a new National Water Resource Master Plan to check against continued degradation of the country’s water resources.
Despite that 21 percent of Malawi’s territorial area is covered by water, the country continues to experience acute water shortages.
In an interview with The Nation, principal secretary (PS) for Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Sandram Maweru said government drafted a new plan after the one established in 1986 was found to be ineffective.
“In the light of the current status of the country’s water resources, it goes without saying that improved and more sustainable water resource management interventions are inevitable if Malawi is to emerge from its current water deprivation,” said Maweru.
He said the master plan will act as a blueprint for the country to properly manage its water resources
Director of water resource management at Jica, Miyazaki Akihiro, said the project has so far cost $3 million (K1.4 billion).
“Proper water resource development and utilisation will in the end accomplish economic growth for the country. Our government will support Malawi when requested to do so,” Akihiro said.
