By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

THE Government has commissioned the first-ever solar-powered water supply project in Mungwi District of Northern Province at a cost of K280,000.
The water project, which has been funded by the Devolution Trust Fund (DTF), will benefit more than 500 households and public infrastructure such as schools and clinics in Malole.
The water project, which has been installed, will be run by Chambeshi Water and Sewerage Company (CWSC).
The water supply project involves the chlorinator, two overhead tanks and one-kilometre of water distribution network.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma described the project as a major milestone in addressing the challenge of limited access to clean water.
“The project we are commissioning today is a true reflection and a sign of a hard working Government under the leadership of President Edgar Lungu, which is undertaking numerous development projects in all the sectors of the economy,” Mr Yaluma said.
The minister said the Government was committed to delivering affordable and quality water services to all the people in both the urban and rural parts of the country.
His ministry was taking the directive by Cabinet to expedite investments in other sources of energy like solar to be developed quickly.
Mr Yaluma announced that the Government had considered adjusting the electricity tariff to 10.35 cents per kilowatt per hour to attract investment in the energy sector.
He said that CHWSC had been facing challenges due to dilapidated infrastructure as a result of lack of capitalisation of the company in the past.
Mr Yaluma assured that the Government had embarked on implementing several projects to revamp operations to meet the demand of the population.
DFT Board chairperson David Zulu said the project would go a long way in resolving the challenges of water the people had been facing.
“Water and sanitation services play a significant role in national development. Investments in the water sector requirements are enormous which need concerted efforts by all stakeholders,” Mr Zulu said.
CHWSC vice-board chairperson Mwewa Mwape said since inception DFT had continued to finance CHWSC in various projects such as construction of kiosks and water network extension in selected districts in Muchinga and Northern provinces.