By BRIAN HATYOKA –

WATER utility firms have been cautioned against misusing funds meant for the improvement of water supply in their areas of operation.
Local Government and Housing Minister John Phiri will not tolerate acts of misappropriation of public funds and other corrupt dealings in public offices.
Dr Phiri said this in Livingstone yesterday during the launch of the Dambwa Water Supply project of installing 2,000 automated meter recorders (ARMs) in Dambwa Township and parts of Zambezi Sawmills. The project will cost K2.7 million.
The project, which started in 2013 and is funded by the Devolution Trust Fund (DTF), is aimed at enhancing the Southern Water and Sewerage Company’s financial viability and operational efficiencies in water distribution.
Dr Phiri said the people of Livingstone were witnesses to the Government’s commitment to fulfilling its campaign promises of ensuring that local people had access to social amenities such as clean, safe drinking water and good sanitation.
The Government would continue to allocate resources for the development of the water and sanitation infrastructure to increase water supply from the current national average of 83.8 per cent for water and 60.7 per cent for sanitation.
SWASCO Board chairperson Anne Tischer thanked DTF and the Government for the support in the provision of safe and clean drinking water.
Ms Tischer said the increased load-shedding by Zesco was adversely affecting the company’s operations.