By Helen Witti

Following the declaration of drought as a national disaster and emergency, the Government of Zambia has assured the nation that it will address the issue of drought with strong measures to avert the situation.

The government says the current drought condition has affected the availability of both ground and surface water, and pasture for livestock and wildlife, and has the potential to increase the incidence of human and animal conflict, as well as disease.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe says the Government of Zambia under the visionary leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the water and sanitation agenda in Zambia.

Mr Mwanakampwe says his Government is implementing several initiatives aimed at expanding access to clean water and sanitation services, improving infrastructure, strengthening governance frameworks, and promoting sustainable water management practices in central province.

Mr Mwanakampwe said this in a speech read on his behalf by Kabwe District Administrative Officer Handsome Mungalu during the celebration of World Water Day under the theme, “Leveraging Water for Peace” localized as “Addressing Water and Sanitation Challenges to Promote Peace.”

“Following the declaration of drought as a national disaster and emergency, by the president of the Republic of Zambia Hakainde Hichilema, the government through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation will be transparent in the use of resources when responding to this disaster and emergency water harvesting mechanism to enable precision and other irrigation development to stimulate agricultural production to address current dry spell,” he said.

Mr Mwanakampwe cited the K9,000,000 water supply project in Serenje district.

He further said other projects such as the construction of the solar-powered water reticulation scheme in Kabangalala area in Chibombo district that is earmarked to benefit about 2,500 people and similar projects at Matilyo and Kawama areas in Kapiri Mposhi, where over 10,000 people are benefiting.

Mr Mwanakampwe said Shibuyunji District has not been left out of these water development schemes as it has benefited from seven piped water supply schemes installed to supply for use to both humans and livestock alike.

“The importance of these projects in addressing the challenge of poor water supply for the residents of Central Province cannot be overstated. Projects are benefiting over 200,000 people in the Province and improvements have been witnessed in the water supply service due to the impact of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and other measures that the government and its cooperating partners have instituted in the water sector,” he said.

He added that the Government has commenced the construction of 16 medium-sized dams through various contractors and the Zambia National Service (ZNS).

Mr Mwanakampwe says 11 contractors have since commenced work, while works for the other five dams are yet to commence as the contracts were recently signed with the Zambia National Service.

He said the government is making all these investments in the water sector bearing in mind the interconnection between water, sanitation, and other critical issues such as health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.

He noted that access to clean water and adequate sanitation is not only a basic human right but also a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development, social stability, and peacebuilding.

Central Province Water and Sanitation Officer Chimba Mukuka says the government has embarked on serious water harvesting techniques in a bid to curb water challenges.

Mr Mukuka thanked government partners and other stakeholders who took part in this years’ World Water day, among them, World Vision International, Habitat for Humanity Zambia and WARMA.

Meanwhile, Habitat for Humanity Zambia Project Manager Kangwa Chinkutele said water plays an important role in promoting peace around the world.

Ms Chinkutele further said over-population and climate change has greatly affected the availability of water, hence the need to put in measures to address these dire effects. -NAIS