Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza on Friday launched the water licensing reform campaign in Lilongwe which seeks to create public awareness regarding water resources management and administration in Malawi.
The launch follows a year-long consultancy work by DHI Consultants and Troppenwasser Consulting Professionals (TCP) which carried out a comprehensive and targeted licensing campaign to sensitise major water users to apply and pay for water permits.
The campaign will also increase awareness of the work and mandate of the National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) to be established under the Water Resources Act of 2013.
Following the launch, all those using water for aquaculture, irrigation, watering livestock, industrial, mining, power generation and recreation will be required to register.
Chiyembekeza said the licensing campaign is part of activities the ministry is undertaking under the second National Water Development Project (NWDP).
He said the Act establishes NWRA to replace the Water Resources Board (WRB) as an independent and autonomous regulator of water resources in the country.
“In this regard, the licensing campaign will help increase awareness on the work and mandate of the National Water Resources Authority,” said Chiyembekeza.
DHI team leader Per Bøgelund Hansen said the launch of the campaign will help to develop a collaborative partnership of stakeholders on the importance of licensing for water resources.
