Malawi: Karonga Town Water Supply Project is now at 99 percent completion. The President of Botswana Lazarus Chakwera is expected to inaugurate it next month in October.
The project is being implemented by the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for the benefit of the town and its communities. The project is being implemented with a budget of 32 Million USD funded by the OPEC Fund, BADEA and the Malawi Government.
The project is expected to boost supply of potable water to an estimated population of 184,000 people in Karonga. The officials have confirmed that water demand in the Karonga Town is currently outpacing supply.
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Kakhobwe said she was happy with the progress made so far. She made the announcement during an interview with the media on Saturday.
“I am glad to announce that the project which started during tough times of Covid-19 is now almost finished and President Chakwera is expected to officially inaugurate it next month. The administration of President Lazarus Chakwera wants to ensure that all Malawians have access to potable water which is their right.
“We are promoting piped water supply even in rural areas as such this project once completed will serve 184, 000 people in Karonga which is a step in the right direction. People of Karonga will now have access to safe water and sustainable water supply which will ensure their good well-being,” Kakhobwe said.
NRWB’s Chairperson of the Operations and Projects Committee, Florence Nthakomwa said currently the board is disinfecting supply pipes before they start pumping water.
“We have laid 301 kilometres of pipelines, upgraded our treatment plant from producing 12 million litres per day to 30 million litres per day including installing 45 communal water points and constructed three booster stations at Pusi, Mlare and Bwiba which will ensure that people even in rural areas have access to potable water,” said Nthakomwa.
According to Nthakomwa, the board which has also constructed a modern office at Karonga Town, is currently processing water connection applications for almost 10,000 clients who have so far applied for the service.
The project has extended water supply from Karonga Town to Nyungwe, Pusi and Mpata.