9.9 MILLION DOLLARS FOR LUSAKA WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION DEVELOPMENT PROJECT- MCA-ZAMBIA

By MacPherson Mukuka*Millennium Challenge Account*

In a bid to improve provision of sanitation to communities in Lusaka, the Millennium Challenge Account Zambia Limited has signed a contract with Mota Engil Africa to upgrade and expand the Kaunda Square sewage ponds at a cost of 9.9Million US dollars.

 

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Millennium Challenge Account Zambia Limited Board Chairperson FREDSON YAMBA Says the rehabilitation and construction of the new Kaunda Square ponds will cater for over 16 Thousand households in Mtendere that will transition from pit latrines to flushable toilets.
Mr. YAMBA, who is also Secretary to the Treasury, says the project will improve the health status of residents of Mtendere and protect ground water from contamination.

And U.S Ambassador to Zambia, ERIC SHULTZ says the Millennium Challenge Compact is exciting because it offers an example of how donor assistance can operate as a true partnership with Zambia.

He says the project is a shared investment with Zambian s taking the lead in developing and implementing the numerous activities, strengthened by the Millennium Challenge Corporation’s investment.

And Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company Board Chairperson Professor MUNDIA MUYA says over the years, the institution has continued to invest in improving water supply and sanitation services in the province but limited infrastructure has continued to be overwhelmed by the exponential population growth.

He says the investment could not have come at a better time than now when the institution is facing increasing demand to provide vital services with limited infrastructure. 

Meanwhile, Visiting MCC principal Deputy Vice President KYEH KIM has noted that Lusaka residents will benefit from the investment in water, sanitation and drainage saying that safe and reliable water systems are vital to MCC’s mission of reducing poverty through economic growth around the world.

She says access to water and sanitation and hygiene – commonly known as WASH is fundamental to improving the livelihoods and wellbeing of poor and vulnerable populations-such as women, children and the physically challenged.

Ms. KYEH adds that evidence shows that clean water and adequate sanitation are not only critical to good health, but can also improve school attendance, productivity, and entrepreneurship.

She says the compact is investing in water supply, sanitation and drainage infrastructure with the goal of decreasing the incidence and prevalence of water-related diseases, productive days lost due to diseases and time to collect water, cost of water and new sanitation and business and residential growth.

Works targeted under the contract agreement will include expansion of the 45 year old ponds in order to restore the natural treatment process and create provision for future sewage loads in the sewer shed.

The new ponds are designed to cater for a population of 156, 000 as opposed to the targeted 18, 000 when originally constructed.

The project is part of 355 Million Dollars Bilateral compact agreement funded by the United States Government through the Millennium Challenge Corporation in partnership with the Government of Zambia.