Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia, says the government is committed to improving the well-being of citizens through access to potable water.
Mia said this Friday in Karonga when she inspected the completed Karonga Town Water Supply Project, funded by the Malawi Government in collaboration with the OPEC Fund and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA), to the tune of USD32.7 million.
The project is expected to benefit about 184,000 people by the year 2040, and it aims to rehabilitate, upgrade and expand the existing water supply system to meet the growing population and demand in Karonga.
“It is a sign of the government of President Lazarus Chakwera’s resolve to improve the well-being of citizens through access to potable water, and we are proud of the progress and the impact it is already making on people’s lives,” she said.
Board Chairperson for the Northern Region Water Board, Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V, commended the government for the project, saying it has improved water supply in both Karonga Town and surrounding rural communities.
“So far, 25 water kiosks have been constructed and are operational, while 1,200 household connections have already been completed. The project targets up to 15,000 connections, with installations still ongoing,” Gomani said.
On his part, Paramount Chief Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa urged communities in the district to take full responsibility in safeguarding the water infrastructure.
By George Mponda, MANA
