NRWB gives Mzimba K800m waste management boost
Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) will pump K800 million into M’mbelwa District Council’s coffers, thanks to the K17 billion water and sanitation project.
NRWB engineer Jackson Mtungila told members of Nyika Media Club on Tuesday that the funds will be used to purchase waste management equipment, including a refuse truck.
Speaking at Machecheta Water Plant, currently under extension, the engineer said the board envisages the council improving collection and handling of refuse.
“Besides the core purpose of improving water supply to Mzimba residents, the project will improve sanitation and hygiene. Some of these waste management facilities were already delivered in April,” he said.
The council will also construct sanitation facilities in some schools, markets and other strategic places.
Council chairperson Gilingo Bilima thanked NRWB for investing in improving water, sanitation and hygiene services.
He reckoned Mzimba citizens endured intermittent water supply as the board was grappling to meet increasing demand.
“I am happy that the completion of Machecheta expansion project in August 2019 will mark the end of water shortages,” he said.
African Development Bank (AfDB) is bankrolling the project to the tune of $5 million while Opec Fund for International
Development (Ofid) has pumped $14.85 million. Government has injected $3 million.
The project has come under Parliament scrutiny after NRWB allegedly awarded Sawa Group a contract which was $3.9 million more than Sawa Group’s bid price of $10.1 million.
According to NRWB spokesperson Edward Nyirenda, the results of the ongoing probe are expected to be out next week. n
