K120m sanitation programme on cards
By MOSES SINJWALA THE Lusaka water and sewerage company (LWSC) is to launch the Lusaka sanitation programme at a cost of K120 million to improve and manage water and sanitation services for low-income groups.
Speaking during a two days’ workshop in Lusaka yesterday LWSC managing director, Jonathan Kampata has said the programme would increase access to sanitation services in some Lusaka townships namely Bauleni, Kanyama, Chipata and Mtendere to be conducted within a period of 7 months.
“It is important to note that with the growing population in Lusaka it would be disastrous if this situation is not addresses.
“Peri-urban population represent at least 70 percent of the urban population and access to sanitation services is particularly lower in peri-urban informal settlements as provision is generally left to the residents who mostly use unsafe pit latrines of which most of them are in poor condition,” he observed.
The LWSC chief however emphasised on the need by the city to come up with strategies on sanitation and fecal sludge management that would improve the undesirable sanitation situation that is currently prevailing.
And African Water Association (AFWA) director, Simeon Kenfack said that the association would contribute towards bringing a proper sanitation fecal and sludge management to Lusaka.
“The strategic workshop has come at a right time when we are engaging ourselves to design strategic plans with key players in the city to address the critical areas of sanitation and health.
“We urge the water utility company to adequately raise enough funds and eradicate the sanitation problem as it was the major cause of cholera, “he said.
The workshop focused on reinforcing African sanitation operators, capacity in onsite fecal sludge management through peer to peer learning.