‘State aware of urgent need for more investment in water sector’
By REBECCA CHILESHEMINISTER of Energy and Water Development Kenneth Konga says Government is aware of the urgent need for more investment in the water and sanitation sector and is committed to ensuring increased funding.
Mr Konga said this is evidenced by increased funding to the sector, citing the rise in funding in the national budget allocation from 2.7 percent in 2009 to five percent in 2010.
He said this at the inauguration of the re-appointed National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) council in Lusaka on Tuesday.
“Funds have also been sourced from bilateral and multi-lateral partners to address the many challenges facing the sector,” he said.
He said water is key to development and an essential element for human survival.
He said the combination of safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and hygiene is fundamental to the well-being of people.
Mr Konga said water is also an essential element for food security, the environment and for sustainable development.
He said to ensure achievement of Millennium Development Goals by service providers, NWASCO has a challenge in monitoring the performance of the providers and ensuring that services are extended to more people, particularly in peri-urban areas.
The minister said Government is committed to ensuring that people have access to safe drinking water and ideal sanitation, saying this can only be achieved if service delivery is done in an efficient, cost-effective and sustainable manner.
He said tariffs are an area of concern and that Government wants to ensure that people pay a fair price for services they get.
Mr Konga said to realise the vision of improved water and sanitation services, the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders must be respected, with leadership provided by the council.
He said the water sector is one of the key areas to be given priority in the Sixth National Development Plan to be implemented in June 2010.
NWASCO chairperson Cosmas Musumali said the council realises that there is still a large number of people who do not have access to clean and safe drinking water.
He said substantial capitalisation is needed for more people in peri-urban areas to access clean and safe water.
Mr Musumali thanked the minister for re-appointing the council, saying the successes it scored in the past year are as a result of teamwork.
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