ZANIS – WORLD Vision Zambia has handed over 66 boreholes and five mechanised water system worth over K5.6 Million to residents of Isoka District in Muchinga Province.
World Vision Integrated Programmes Director, Wezi Kaira said the boreholes and mechanised water systems will provide clean and safe drinking water to over 22, 000 Isoka residents.
And Kaira added that the organization also trained all the five mechanised water system committees including 48 village wash committees in the operational and maintenance of the water facilities for sustainability.
He said World Vision believes that sustainable well-being is impossible without sustainable, equitable access to clean water, dignified sanitation and appropriate hygiene behaviors.
“In our clean water work we strive to provide access water as close as possible to households with a maximum of 30 minutes round the trip,” he added.
He started that World Vision is aware that water is essential to people hence the need for residents to have safe and clean water at their doorsteps at all times.
Kaira further thanked government, the provincial and district administrations and the traditional leadership for the support and involvement throughout the project, saying it is his prayer that residents will guard the facilities.
And Muchinga Province Minister, Henry Sikazwe who spoke through Isoka District Commissioner, Collins Sichivula during the handover ceremony said it is gratifying to see people’s lives being uplifted through the use of piped water with tap stands in the rural communities.
Sikazwe added that the gesture by World Vision will go a long way and has shortened the distances that people previously used to cover to fetch water from unsafe water sources such as shallow wells and streams.
“As the United Party for National Development (UPND) government, it is our policy as enshrined in our manifesto to create an enabling environment for every actor in development, in striving to uplift the livelihood of the nation.
He further assured World Vision Zambia that government will continue to help the organization achieve its goals.
And the Provincial Minister urged Isoka residents to guard the infrastructure jealously and ensure safe operational, maintenance and sustainable measures are put in place to protect the facilities.
Meanwhile, a beneficiary, Beathiah Nambela has told the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS ) in an interview that the development has cheered many residents in the area as they will now be fetching water within their localities.
Nambeya said before the construction of the 66 boreholes and five mechanised water system, residents used to fetch water from very far and unsafe water sources.
“We used to wake up around 05:00 hours to go and fetch water from unsafe water sources which was a big challenge and a health hazard to us,” she said.
Advert
