Prepaid charges the way to go - Wanchinga

WATER, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Minister Denis Wanchinga says the introduction of prepaid meters will help improve service delivery by utility companies. Dr Wanchinga said installation of prepaid will benefit both the company and residents.

The Minister said this after touring Buchi and Wusakile townships as well as other areas in Kalulushi to check on some works by Nkana Water and Sewerage Company.

Dr Wanchinga said the initiative to put in place prepaid meters is good because some Zambians have a mentality of not paying for services. He said it is important to prevent water loss so as to save revenue.

"This syndrome of saying 'Fya boma` is very irresponsible because everything that is given to the community through the hands of government, people feel nobody should pay for them and as such quality is compromised," he said.

During the same occasion, Nkana Water and Sewerage Managing Director Diana Makwaba said 13,900 prepaid meters are being installed.

Ms Makwaba said the use of prepaid meters will help the company collection debts and improve service delivery to its customers.

She noted that the utility company is owed huge debts by customers including government institutions.

Ms Makwaba said the company will ensure 100 percent metering of all its customers with prepaid in order to put an end to all challenges.