By Andrew Gondwe

Chitipa, November 20, Mana: A local organization in Chitipa, Tubepoka Development Initiative (TDI) has drilled a K12 Million borehole at Ngatele village in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa to ensure that communities have access to clean and safe water in the area.

Speaking during the handover ceremony on Tuesday, TDI's board chairperson, Island Mtambo said the intervention follows increased cases of waterborne diseases in the area owing to lack of access to clean and safe water.

"We believe the borehole will help transform the community as people will have improved access to safe and clean water and will also enhance opportunities for infrastructure development," Mtambo said.

He added that the borehole will help reduce the long distance women and girls used to travel to fetch water from unprotected sources.

Mtambo urged the community to cultivate a sense of ownership for the borehole by maintaining it to ensure sustainability.

One of the beneficiaries, Lolass Nyondo of Ngatele Village applauded TDI for the borehole in her area saying it will help reduce various challenges such as water borne diseases.

"We used to fetch water from unprotected sources shared with domesticated and wild animals making it unhealthy and unreliable. We are thankful for having one," she added.

She asked TDI and other stakeholders to drill more boreholes in the surrounding areas as shortage of safe and clean water was a big challenge.

The borehole is set to address water related challenges among 374 community members.

Since 2012, TDI with funding from Willow Creek Church of America have drilled 46 boreholes within the Ilanga-Njerengwa area in Senior Chief Mwabulambya in Chitipa district.