Water board optimistic on K110bn dam
Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) has said it expects to start working on a K110 billion dam for Mzuzu City this year if proposals for funding go through.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday after a tree planting exercise in Kaning’ina Forest in Mzuzu, NRWB acting chief executive officer Francis Munthali said the board has approached several Arab banks for funding for Lambilambi dam in Viphya plantation.
He said the board expects donors to come into the country this year to discuss the matter.
“What we are doing now is mobilising resources. With assistance from government, we have submitted proposals to Kuwait Fund, Badea, Ofid and many other banks,” said Munthali.
For the meantime he said the board is embarking on various measures, including protecting Lunyangwa dam’s catchment area to sustain water supply in Mzuzu.
Munthali said the board is enhancing replanting and protection of the forest to ensure that the current dam does not dry up.
During the Saturday exercise, the board planted 5 000 trees.
He said the board is also working in partnership with Moyale Barracks, communities and other stakeholders to protect the catchment area.
Mzuzu City deputy mayor Alexander Mwakikunga appealed to communities to protect the catchment area, adding that if the city starts facing water challenges, it is the communities that will suffer.
He also discouraged people from stealing the seedlings. n
