Clean, safe water our priority, says Kaziya

By MUKOSELA KASALWE

GOVERNMENT is determined to provide clean and safe piped drinking water to all Zambians throughout the country, says Water and Sanitation Minister Lloyd Kaziya.

Mr Kaziya said Government through President Edgar Lungu was determined to ensure that citizens received safe and clean drinking water as one of the Seventh National Development Plan agenda.

He said his ministry had embarked on projects such as the water and sanitation strategy project aimed at providing clean and water to the general populace.

The minister said this on ZNBC's Government Forum programme on Monday centred on “sanitation was key to the prevention of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and diarrhoea.

"Government through the leadership of President Edgar Lungu is determined that all citizens receive clean and safe piped water. Sanitation is key to the prevention of diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid,” he said.

Mr Kaziya who is Patriotic Front Matero Member of Parliament said the ministry was keen to see to it that more citizens had flushable toilets unlike the digging of pit latrines.

He said the water metring project being carried out by the Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company had proved to be a success in some areas of Chelston although it had flaws in other areas due to technology which was being resolved to ensure that the water utility company collected approriate revenue and that consumers were given the correct water bills.

Mr Kaziya said the ministry was also determined to conserve water through water harvest in the rainy season and recycling.

He said the Vision 2030 was aimed at ensuring that all citizens had access to clean and safe water to safeguard their health.

Mr Kaziya said Government was cognizant and had prioritised the water sector as the commodity was critical to the prevention of diseases.