By KENNEDY MUPESENI –

in Kasama
CHAMBESHI Water and Sewerage Company (CHWSC) is scouting for US$120 million to overhaul its water reticulation system and expand operations.
This investment will result in provision of safe water and contribute significantly to the economic development in Muchinga and Northern Provinces.
Board vice-chairperson Mwila Mwape said the water utility company required a total investment of $120 million.
“Chambeshi needs a total investment of $120 million to revamp infrastructure and operational capacity to provide safe and clean water supply and sanitation services,” Mr Mwape said.
He appealed to Government and cooperating partners to help the company with funds to invest in infrastructure to improve service delivery.
The company has had no major cooperating support to enable it overhaul its infrastructure apart from Government.
He, however, said the Devolution Trust Fund (DTF) had continued to finance the company in various water infrastructure development projects.
Some of the programmes funded by the DTF include the construction of water kiosks and extension of water networks in Kasama, Isoka and Mpika costing more than   K9.3 million.
The water utility company is indebted to the central Government also for investing in water infrastructure in Kaputa, Isoka, Nakonde, Luwingu and Mungwi.
Other districts include Shiwang’andu, Mafinga as well as Mpulungu at a cost of K220 million.
He said the Government should assist the company clear the K30 million it owes to suppliers and in pensions backlog.
Mr Mwape said that the construction of the 330 Kilovolts line under the Pensulo-Kasama project by Zesco Limited would improve water supply in the two Provinces.
He said that the upgrading of Lunzuwa Power Station to 15 megawatts had significantly improve water supply to Mpulungu and Mbala adding that the two areas were now having water 24 hours.