US$6 million investment required in water, sanitation sector - Kalusa
GOVERNMENT says there is a financing gap of US$6 mil lion in the water and sanita tion sector in the country.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Devel opment and Sanitation Joe Kalusa said the investment opportunities are secure for anyone interested to work in the sector.
Mr Kalusa said the coun try has 11 water utility com panies that require water and sanitation services from companies supplying parts and accessories and techni cal services.
“In the water sector, which is for water and sanitation, we expect to have an invest ment of US$6 million,” said Mr Kalusa.
He challenged investors to set up manufacturing and assembling plants for water equipment and other acces sories for water and sanita tion services in order to re duce costs.
“If we talk about the pipes, water meters, everything is imported, “pointed out Mr Kalusa.
He said the 11 water utili ty companies create a bigger market that any investor in the sector can tap into and recoup their investments and create jobs especially for youths.
Mr Kalusa said Zambia has adequate raw materials needed to manufacture wa ter equipment, chemicals and other accessories.
The Permanent Secretary also appealed to Water and Sanitation investors like KSB Zambia to consider setting up workshops in provincial centres to facilitate main tenance and repair of water and sanitation equipment so that water utility firms, industrial and domestic cus tomers are not inconven
ienced.
“If a pump was to break down in Kasama where we have Chambeshi Water and Sanitation Company, it means we have to bring that pump from Chambeshi into Lusaka or Kitwe where KSB is based,” he said.
And German Water San itation Company KSB says it is keen to increase its in vestment in the water sector from US$3 million to US$6 million.
KSB Zambia Manager, Fanus Terblans said his com pany which is 150 years old has been in Zambia for five years and wants to expand its presence.
Mr Terblans said his com pany provides industrial and domestic water and sanita tion accessories, solutions and services.
He pointed out that the business and regulatory framework has impacted positively on his company’s business.
He said his firm will col laborate with government and relevant authorities to enhance skills in the water and sanitation sector in or der to improve service deliv ery.