Minister hails $13m Chitipa water project
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza has commended Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for “massive progress” in the construction of a modern system envisaged to raise access to tap water in Chitipa.
Chiyembekeza on Tuesday toured Kalenge River where NRWB is constructing a modern water plant with $3milllion (about K 1.9billion) from government and $10million (about K6.4 billion) from the Arabic Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea).
“I’m very impressed with progress achieve so far. The contractors have assured me that about 30 percent of the works are complete and that come December this year, the water plant will be complete and ready for handover,” Chiyembekeza said.
The system under construction will provide tap water to nearly 47 000 Chitipa residents by 2030.
The beneficiaries include about 10 000 villagers along the nearly 40 kilometre pipeline from the water source to Chitipa Boma, where nearly 2 500 residents as well as organisations connected to the exisiting pipe system often have to do with dry taps.
NRWB chairperson Peter Mwanza said the board will keep innovating and expanding its network as it seeks to meet its strategic goals of ensuring portable water for all in the Northern Region.
NRWB chief executive officer Titus Mtegha said the state-run company is exploring the potential of expanding its system to far-flung trading centres of Wenya, Chisenga and Nthalire.
