2021 ZAMBIA WATER WEEK AND WORLD WATER DAY
WITH THE THEME: ‘VALUING WATER’
Introduction
The Zambian water sector has come a long way and has seen many changes and reforms in terms of water governance, water resources management and development, water supply and sanitation and environmental management. These reforms ultimately led to the creation of the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection following the pronouncement by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zambia during his address to the 12th National Assembly. According to Gazette Notice No. 836 of 2016, The Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection is responsible for the following portfolio functions and statutory bodies:
Portfolio functions
a. Water Policy
b. Water Resources Management and Development c. Water Supply and Sanitation
d. Environmental Policy
e. Environmental Protection and Pollution Control f. Environmental Research and Training
Statutory Bodies/Institutions
a) National Water Supply and Sanitation Council b) Water Resources Management Authority c) Water Utility Companies
d) Zambia Environmental Management Agency
The specific functions of the Ministry include:
a. Formulation and review policies on Water Development and Management, Water Supply and Sanitation and Environmental management in order to guide implementation of sector programmes;
b. Review and development of legislation on Water Development and Management, Water Supply and Sanitation and Environmental management in order to provide a framework for implementing policies and programmes;
c. Conducting research on Water Development and Management, Water Supply and Sanitation and Environment, as well as other related matters in order to generate information for decision making;
d. Formulation and review of National Programmes and Action Plans on Water Development and Management, Water Supply and Sanitation and Environmental management in order to ensure effective and sustainable utilization;
e. Facilitation of the development and rehabilitation of water resources, water supply and sanitation and Environmental Protection infrastructure in order to enhance service delivery;
f. Monitoring and Evaluating the implementation of Water Development and Management, Water Supply and Sanitation and Environmental policies and programmes in order to ensure attainment of set objectives; g. Identifying and protecting potential water resources to enhance water security;
h. Identifying and delineating ecologically sensitive areas for protection; and
i. Collaborating with the National and International stakeholders on the development and management of water resources, water supply and sanitation and environmental management.
Organizational Structure and Coverage
The Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection is headed by the Minister who provides policy guidance on Water development, Sanitation and Environmental Management in the country. The Office of the Permanent Secretary is responsible for directing and coordinating the execution of the portfolio functions and advises the Minister with respect to the activities, projects and programmes in the Ministry. The day-to-day execution of portfolio functions are carried out by six (6) directorates namely: a. Directorate of Water Resources Development, responsible for national water security and international water cooperation.
b. Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation, responsible for urban and rural water supply and sanitation. c. Directorate of Environmental Management mandated to oversee environmental management and protection. d. Directorate of Planning and Information mandated to perform the planning, knowledge management and monitoring and evaluation functions of the Ministry. e. Directorate of Human Resources and Administration, and
f. Directorate of Finance. Furthermore, the Ministry has presence in all the ten provinces and in all the districts through the Department of Water Resources Development as well as at all provincial levels through the Department of Water Supply and Sanitation. In carrying out its functions, the Ministry collaborates with other ministries, statutory bodies, International Organizations, Cooperating Partners and NGOs. The main areas of collaboration include capacity building, resource mobilization, infrastructure development, information sharing and technical assistance in line with the mandate of the Ministry.
The Zambia Water Week and World Water Day
Zambian stakeholders in the Water Sector have long lobbied the Government of the Republic of Zambia for the establishment of an official period which could be commemorated nation wide as the Zambia Water Week. The main objective of this was to have a period of time at least once a year during which the Zambian Water Sector would come together and share knowledge and experiences about pertinent water and sanitation issues affecting the nation. In addition, this would also be the main period during which Government would explain its key policy measures in the water and sanitation sector for the current year.
Thus, during the 8th Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition conference held in June 2019, Her Honour the Vice President directed the Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection to ensure that the Zambia Water Week is established. In this regard, Cabinet approval was sought by the Ministry of Water Development for the establishment of the Zambia Water Week. This approval was granted at a Cabinet meeting Chaired by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia 2020. Furthermore, Cabinet directed that the Zambia Water Week and the World Water Day should be aligned. In this regard, the week preceding the 22nd of March World Water Day, that is the period 15th – 21st March every year would be commemorated in Zambia as the Zambia Water Week commencing this year. Consequently, the theme for the Zambia Water Week will always be the same as that of the World Water Day although sub themes as appropriate could vary somewhat. Thus, the finale of the Zambia Water Week will be the World Water day commemorations on Monday 22nd March 2021. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s commemoration of Zambia Water Week and World Water Day will be low key and largely confined to media engagements.
Interpretation of the theme
As was highlighted in the Ministerial speech to launch the Zambia Water Week, this year’s theme, ‘Valuing Water’ is all about appreciating the enormous and complex value of water for our very existence and wellbeing. It goes beyond the issue of pricing and captures the essence of what water means to health, economics, households, education, cultures and traditions, and the sustainability of our natural environment. In this regard, the Ministry also supports the general view supported by the international water community that the value of water can be looked at from five different perspectives as follows: a. the value of natural water resources and ecosystems. All water comes from the environment and associated ecosystems to produce the water cycle as we know it. Therefore, a very high value must be placed on protection and proper management of the environment. This will ensure good quality water supply and resilience to the impacts of climate change such as floods and droughts; b. the value of water infrastructure for water storage, water treatment and water supply. Where water infrastructure is absent or inadequate, socio-economic development is weak and ecosystems become vulnerable. Furthermore, the full value of water infrastructure needs to take into account the social and environmental costs of putting up such infrastructure and resources allocated accordingly; c. the value of water services such as drinking water, sanitation and health services. These are particularly critical in disease out breaks such as the covid-19 pandemic and for households, schools, workplaces and health care facilities; d. the value of water for socio-economic production with respect to food and agriculture, energy and industry, and business and employment creation; and
e. the socio-cultural value of water which encompasses aspects to do with recreation, culture, spirituality and tradition. A full understanding of the socio-cultural values of water cannot be attained without embracing the diversity of stakeholders and stakeholder interests in the management and development of water resources. Thus, the ministry will strive to foster the integrated water resources management approach as well as to embrace emerging trends such as the water-sanitation- health-energy-food-climate nexus.
Focus for 2021
The Ministry will continue to pursue the objectives and targets set out in the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), Vision 2030 and UN Sustainable Development goals. This will be done through the implementation of four (4) key programmes namely: a. Water Resources Development and Management Programme,
b. Water Supply and Sanitation Programme, c. Environmental Management and Protection Programme, and
d. Management and Support Services Programme. For further information contact: The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection
P . O. Box 50288, Lusaka
Tel +260 211 243706, +260 211 243543
Mukuba Pension House, Lusaka.