Govt reaffirms commitment to clean water supply in western Zambia

Western Province Permanent Secretary, Simomo Akapelwa, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to ensuring access to clean water for residents in the region.

Speaking in Shangombo on Saturday during World Water Day commemorations, held under the theme “Water Source Protection Amidst Climate Change,” Akapelwa highlighted government’s efforts to enhance water security.

“The government, through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, has outlined ambitious plans for 2025, including the construction of 20 new dams, rehabilitation of 14 existing dams, and maintenance of 350 dams to enhance water storage and distribution,” Akapelwa said in a statement issued by Provincial Principal Public Relations Officer Mwakoi Njekwa on Sunday.

To further improve rural water supply, he said the government planned to drill 947 new boreholes, rehabilitate 500 non-functional boreholes, upgrade 400 boreholes to piped water schemes, and rehabilitate 100 existing water schemes.

“In Western Province this year, the government has allocated resources to drill 165 new boreholes, rehabilitate 185 non-functional boreholes, and upgrade 43 boreholes to piped water schemes in rural growth centers,” Akapelwa added.

Speaking at the same event, Lions Aid Zambia Executive Director Nicholas Mutale, in a speech read on his behalf by Project Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Tabonga Naluonde, reaffirmed the Lions Club’s commitment to water sustainability initiatives in the region.

“We have been actively engaged in capacity building for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASHE) stakeholders across various districts, including Kaoma, Mongu, Kalabo, and Shangombo. This initiative enhances governance, technical, operational, and financial management of water points, ensuring a reliable supply of clean water for communities,” Mutale stated.

The government’s water security projects come amid concerns over low rainfall and drought, underscoring the urgency of sustainable water management in the province.

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