By Cathy Maulidi
Government through ministry of Water and Sanitation has disclosed that the Lilongwe – Salima water project will start this year.
The Project which is expected to extract water from Lake Malawi in Salima to Lilongwe, to address water challenges in Lilongwe and surrounding areas has been delayed due to many challenges.
Among the challenges, the government has been having issues with financiers of the project ‘Quay Energy’ which has been struggling to raise the necessary financing for the Project.
Khato Civils through Quay Energy was mandated to secure about K322 billion for the project which the government already gave a sovereign guarantee for, but this hasn’t happened.
In an interview with local media on Monday, Elias Chimulambe Principal Secretary for the ministry of Water and Sanitation said now the government has found another financier and the project is ready to be rolled out this year.
Meanwhile, the Central Region Water Board (CRWB) revealed that it needs over K583.5 billion for its water projects in the region.
On his part, engineer John Makwenda Chief Executive Officer for CRWB said the flagship water projects are estimated to help a population of over 700.
After meeting the natural resources committee of Parliament, Makwenda said they are at the moment looking for funds to finance the projects.
He said, some of the projects are; Namitete -Nsundwe water project, Bua-Chinkhoma, Dwangwa water supply and Nkhamenya water supply project.
At the moment, Werani Chilenga Chairperson for Natural resources committee of Parliament has pledged support to the water board for them to get the necessary financing.
