By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, August 10, Mana: Likoma District Council Wednesday handed over Likoma Water Users Association (WUA) to Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) to improve the WUA’s efficiency in the district.

The hand over ceremony took place at the council’s stakeholders meeting with the blessing from the stakeholders.

Speaking during the ceremony, Chairperson for Likoma WUA, Pastor, Alexander Chitanda said the decision aims at improving sustainable provision of potable in the district.

""We are glad because NRWB is a statutory cooperation which has machinery and capacity in water potable water management and distribution and its coming to island water will go a long in attractinginvestors to the district," he said.

Chitanda said theWUAhas been encountering several challenges which includedregular break down of machines during its 13-year operation hence the coming of NRWB was a relief.

Director of Operations for NRWB, Dr. Asumani Ungwe said the Board came in following a request Likoma District Councilthat the board should to take over the operations of Likoma WUA’s water supply systems.

"The request was made because the association can no longer sustain its operations," he said.

Chairperson for Likoma District Council, Barnabas Sambamo thanked NRWB for accepting the requestand stakeholders’ decision to hand over water supply services to NRWB.