By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, September 19, Mana: Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, on Wednesday, expressed satisfaction with the progress made so far on Salima-Lilongwe Water project.

Mia made the remarks after touring Khato Civils Water Treatment Plant in Lifuwu in Salima, along with the project sites, to inspect and appreciate the commencement and progress of the project.

She said the project has started on a high note and soon, the public will witness significant progress.

Mia however acknowledged that the project has faced challenges, particularly supply chain disruptions that contributed to the delays over the years.

"The project will improve water supply to the people of Salima, Dowa and Lilongwe. It is a huge milestone in solving water challenges." She said.

Mia pointed out that fast tracking the project will ensure that beneficiaries should start enjoying the fruits of the project without further delays.

Chief Executive Officer for Salima-Lilongwe Water Project Valentine Kaupa echoed Mia sentiments saying the project is making headway because all the machinery needed for the smooth execution is on site.

"Specialized machinery designed specifically for the water project is being used this shows our commitment to the level of precision and innovation being employed to ensure efficient delivery of the work," he said.

Member of Parliament for Salima Central Constituency, Gerald Kapiseni Phiri said he is happy that the project has commenced, saying it has a huge economic impact on local communities.

"The start of this project will bring various employment opportunities to the people, and I urge Khato Civils to prioritize hiring locals to ensure they are among the first to benefit from this development," Phiri said.

The project is being implemented by Khato Civils and has been pegged at over 500 billion Malawi Kwacha (USD 315,000,000).

30 percent of the amount will be funded by the government of Malawi and 70 percent by private institutions.