President Mutharika said provision of portable water to people in the country is a priority of his government.

“Clean water is a priority of mine, and my government will ensure that people have access to portable water. This project will not only benefit people of Blantyre, but also here in Mulanje, Chiradzulu, Thyolo and also the Malawi University of Science and Technology- MUST,” said the President.

When completed, the MK16.7 billion project will reduce water shortage in the said areas. The President also disclosed that various water projects will soon take shape which will eradicate the water problem in the whole country.

 Professor Mutharika cited the Lake Malawi water project and the Bwanje Valley water project as some projects which will be commissioned soon.

Having financed the project, India High Commissioner to Malawi, Suresh Memon Kumar said it was an honor to participate in the ground breaking project, saying that this shows a good cooperation between governments of Malawi and India.

High Commissioner Kumar said discussions of the project were tabled for a year and a Memorandum of Understanding has been drawn.

“Once everything is set in a few weeks, the construction of the project is expected to run for 18 months and by 2019 it shall be completed,” said the High Commissioner of India.

Dismissing the claims made by some uninformed groups that Mulanje people will face adversity from this project, Chairperson of Blantyre Water Board Mr. James Naphambo said besides clean water, people of Mulanje will benefit in terms of employment once the project has commenced.

“To make sure we have a sustainable water source we are going to plant trees around the project area, we will start with 550 hectares of land and this will acquire labor from people in Mulanje.”

Following the launch, President Mutharika later held a development rally at Pasani Primary School ground where he addressed a few issues including the electricity problem that has devastated the country.

“Some cheap politicians are claiming that power outages the country is facing are brought by the DPP government.

 “Since independence, Malawi has not invested in the energy sector; it is only now that we are coming up with ways to have lasting solutions to this problem,” said the President.

Professor Mutharika then assured the gathering that electricity problem will soon be a thing of the past once the Kam’mwamba coal power project is completed.

On hunger, the President said government had already purchased 260 metric tonnes of maize.  

“No one will die of hunger; we have bought enough maize to be distributed for free including oil, salt and relish. Also ADMARC has already opened its selling points countrywide.”

He however warned ADMARC officials against corruption saying anyone found will face the law.