M’mbelwa Council launchesK249 million water project

M’mbelwa District Council has launched a K249 million Edingeni Water Supply Project in Mzimba South West Constituency to enable communities access safe water.

The council’s chairperson Joel Nkhata said during the launch of the project at Edingeni on Thursday that the flagship project will be implemented with funds from the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He said: “We are pleased to have launched this project because it was identified by the communities in Mzimba South West Constituency based on the challenges they face in accessing clean water.

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“We expect the project to start on September 4 and it will take three months to complete. We have identified the Foundation for Irrigation and Sustainable Development [Fisd] Limited to carry out the works.”

Mzimba district commissioner Emmanuel Bulukutu said the works on the project will involve drilling a borehole, installation of a solar-powered submersible pump, solar systems, two water tanks and 10 water points.

“The council will closely monitor the project to ensure quality work and timely completion so that communities can start benefitting by December,” he said.

Mzimba South West legislator Khumbo Kachali (Freedom Party), who is also a former vice-president, said the project was prioritised as water demand in the area has outpaced supply from existing sources.

“Edingeni is growing fast. People were walking long distances for water. This new system will address that gap and reduce water-borne diseases,” he said.

Fisd Limited director Kondwani Nanchukwa said the company is ready to deliver the project within the stipulated time.

A community member Mary Nyirenda from the area described the project as timely, saying women and children were the most affected.

“This project has come at the right time. We spend hours fetching water,” she said

At least 3 000 people are expected to benefit from the project.