By Bishop Witmos and Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, September 2, Mana. Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Kakhobwe Chapota toured Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) project at Nkhudzi bay where she applauded the board for implementing the K11 billion water project which is expected to start providing clean water to communities in Mangochi.  

Chapota applauded the SRWB project on Friday after SRWB chair disclosed that the project, which was commissioned in 2021 will see water being provided to communities from Nkhudzi bay, Mtaka-taka Turn off up to Bishop’s house at Mpondasi from September 4.

SRWB Nkhudzi project tap water from Lake Malawi to benefit over 92,000 households apart from public and private institutions and tourism facilities with financial assistance from Kuwait fund International.

The deputy minister said that the project which is being funded by Kuwait Fund for Arab Development is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 6 which looks at availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

“This project is important to the people of Mangochi because some areas of Mtakataka Turn-off in Monke-bay were not able to access clean water.”

She said the current administration is committed to provide clean water to Malawians including the rural population to improve water and sanitation and hygiene standards.

“President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera advises us to ensure that we provide people with clean water because Malawi cannot achieve meaningful development without clean water. We are happy now that the Nkhudzi bay water project is completed and that many households in Mangochi will access clean and potable water,” said Chapota.

She therefore asked communities within the project area to avoid stealing and vandalising water pipes and equipment on top of continuing conserving environment for sustainable management of water resources.

In his remarks, Board Chairperson for SRWB, Brown Mpinganjira said now that the project has been completed, communities at Mtakataka Turn off in Monke-Bay to the bishop's house in Mangochi should expect clean water by Monday, September, 4 this year.

“This is an exciting moment for the people of Mangochi and SRWB, as the contractor has completed all the works and Monday water will start flowing in taps.” said the board chair

He added that the project was successfully implemented because of political will towards provision of safe water.