Water project to benefit 400 000 Karonga residents

Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) will soon implement a five-year Karonga Town Water Supply Project expected to benefit over 400 000 residents in the district.

The development follows the project launch held on Monday in Lilongwe which attracted implementing partners to get appraised of the requirements for its timely implementation.

The project, worth $26.7 million (about K19.7 billion) is financed by a loan from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (Badea), Opec Fund for International Development (Ofid) and Malawi Government.

Badea is providing $15 million (about K11.1 billion), Ofid $10 million (about 7.4 billion) and government is providing $1.7 million (about 1.2 billion).

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development principal secretary Grey NyandulePhiri said government expects to get a good job done within the agreed period.

“It’s a loan with grants partly. So, we need to be efficient to provide durable infrastructure. Right now, we are covering about 40 percent of the population in Karonga with 1.5 million cubic litres of water but with this project, we will move to six million cubic litres per day,” he said.

He said the project delayed due to late approval from Zambezi Watercourse Commission as recommended by donors.

NRWB chief executive officer Titus Mtegha said the current water supply in Karonga is a challenge as the town is growing.

He said: “As NRWB, we are known for timely implementation of projects and within budget. We even realise savings and the project will expire in 2023. So, we are sure by 2022 we will have completed it.”

Badea senior expert Hany KamaiFahmy said it is important for stakeholders to be appraised with the expectations of financiers.