By Sarah Munthali
Lilongwe, August 8, Mana: President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has reaffirmed government’s commitment and determination to achieving universal water access by 2030 through implementation of water supply and upgrading projects in the country.
He made the remarks Tuesday when he commissioned the Raised and Rehabilitated Kamuzu Dam 1 at Malingunde in Lilongwe.
“The problem we have had is that for the longest time we have lacked proper management of water resources as a matter of priority and urgency, even as a matter of human rights. This is something I was determined to change.
“In the context of Malawi 2063, it was clear to me that there is no way we can reach becoming an inclusively wealth, self-reliant and industrialised nation without equitable access to water,” he said.
Chakwera said his administration tripled budget allocation for water resource management and created a standalone ministry to oversee implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal of reaching 100 percent water and sanitation access by 2030.
He said, through support from development partners, his administration has been aggressively pursued multiple developmental partnerships in the water sector.
“If we do that, we will continue the Lilongwe Water Resource Efficiency Programme, Southern Region Water Board’s implementation of Nkhudzi Bay Water Supply Project in Mangochi and the Chikwawa, Ngabu, Nchalo and Bangula Water Supply Upgrading projects and implementation of the Nkhatabay and Karonga Water Supply Project,” he noted.
Chakwera said the commissioning Kamuzu Dam 1, with support from European Investment Bank (EIB) embraces government’s vision of putting investments into projects that make communities self-reliant.
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia said there is need for communities to have access to clean water to reduce waterborne diseases such as Cholera.
“My ministry will ensure that the majority of Malawians have access to water which is their fundamental human right’” she said.
Lilongwe Water Board Chairperson, Inkosi Ya Makosi Mbelwa said the Board embarked on the project to increase the water reservoir storage by raising the height of the existing dam.
“The dam has been raised by an additional seven metres comprising of five metres in concrete and an additional two metres installation of an inflatable rubber dam, a unique feature that allows for efficient storage and release of water on the spillway as required, for proper management of the reservoir,” he said.
He said the Board recognizes Lilongwe’s ever-growing water demand hence implementing complementary projects namely Lilongwe Water Sanitation and Malingunde Water Supply Project that are in the pipeline to prevent people’s vulnerability to waterborne diseases.
Speaking on behalf of EIB, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Malawi Une Skinnebach said the support for rehabilitation and raising of the Kamuzu Dam 1 demonstrates Europe’s close cooperation with Malawi to support priority investment under the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.
According to Skinnebach, EIB is currently looking at supporting other water boards with investment projects and various proposals are under review which may be selected depending on their technical and economic merits.
Lilongwe Water Board signed a work contract for raising and rehabilitation of Kamuzu Dam 1 with Motal Engil Engenharia Africa on 27th July, 2018 at a total cost of €27 million.
With the raising of Kamuzu Dam, the combined storage water capacity for both Kamuzu Dam 1 and 2 will increase from 23.4 million cubic metres to 43.4 million cubic metres which has enhanced the water resource security for Lilongwe City and surrounding areas in the short to medium term.
