By Patience Kapinda
Mzuzu City and its surrounding areas are set to enjoy improved and expanded water supply services, thanks to a K90 billion loan secured by the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) from the European Investment Bank (EIB).
The loan facility, which awaits EIB board approval in March this year, will be used to implement various interventions aimed at enhancing water production, distribution, and efficiency in the region.
One of the key components of the project is the raising of Lunyangwa Dam, which is the main source of water for Mzuzu and Ekwendeni. The dam’s holding capacity will be increased from 21 million litres to 30 million litres per day, ensuring adequate and reliable water supply for the growing population and demand.
Another component is the promotion of clean energy to pump water, which will reduce the operational costs and environmental impact of the board. NRWB Board Chairperson Frank Mwenifumbo said the board will use 18 million Euros of the loan to install solar panels and batteries at its pumping stations and treatment plants.
Mwenifumbo also said the project will involve the procurement of prepaid meters, which will be used to connect new customers and improve revenue collection. He said the board expects to increase its customer base from the current 42,000 to over 100,000 by the end of the project.
The project, which is expected to start in April this year and run for four years, will also create employment opportunities for the local people and boost economic activities in the region. Mwenifumbo expressed gratitude to the EIB for the loan, saying it will enable the board to achieve its vision of providing sustainable and climate-resilient water services to the people of the northern region.
He also said the board hosted a delegation from Brussels, which was impressed with the progress and performance of the board in implementing its previous projects.
Mzuzu City Mayor, Gift Desire Nyirenda also commended the government and the board for initiating the loan facility, saying it will address the water challenges facing the city and improve the quality of life of the residents. He pledged the council’s support and cooperation to the project and urged the board to ensure timely and transparent implementation.
The loan facility is part of the EIB’s investment of about 77 million Euros (about K147 billion) in the water sector in Malawi, which also covers the Central Region Water Board and the Southern Region Water Board. The EIB is the lending arm of the European Union and one of the largest providers of finance for water projects in Africa.
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