By MILDRED KATONGO –

MORE than 30 public sanitation facilities constructed by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company (NWSC) in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi have been commissioned at a cost of K7.2 million.
Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge at the weekend commissioned 35 new sanitation facilities, which were constructed separately to cater for the people’s needs in the three towns.
Among the beneficiaries are 13 schools, nine health centres and six public places.
Mr Musenge said the sanitation facilities included water-borne ablution blocks connected to the sewerage network, double VIP pit latrines, boreholes and incinerators for health centres.
This demonstrated the Government’s efforts to ensure there was improved access to adequate and safe water in urban and peri-urban areas.
“The construction of the sanitation facilities by NWSC is in line with Government’s vision to ensure there is improved access to adequate sanitation and safe water supply,” he said.
Mr Musenge said Government acknowledged that dilapidated and obsolete infrastructure against growing population and economic activities remained a major hindrance to improved provision of adequate sanitation.
It was for this reason that the Government had continued to mobilise resources for the rehabilitation and construction of water supply sanitation infrastructure.
Mr Musenge said Government sourced funding amounting to US$63 million with support from the African Development Bank to implement the Nkana water supply and sanitation project in Kitwe, Kalulushi and Chambishi.
He said the 35 public sanitation facilities would contribute to improved access to adequate sanitation facilities to members of the community who have had inadequate sanitation for a long time.