Mutati Impressed with MCA - Zambia Project Works
Minister of Finance Felix Mutati has commended the quality of work implemented by the various contractors working on the US$355 million Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage (LWSSD) project funded by the American government. Speaking after he toured a number of project sites, on 18th September, 2017, the minister said the project has a unique confluence that brags of excellent quality, focused order, a framework of accountability and transparency and high impact. “This project will touch and change more than 1.2 million residents of Lusaka. There are few projects that have been able to adhere to such results. I’m excited that the time - table and deliverable for this project is on time,” he said. Mr. Mutati noted that the drainage, water supply and sanitation works being done under the LWSSDP project provided a critical learning process for Zambian contractors. The minister toured the Mazyopa drainage, the Kwamwena water reservoir and the Kaunda Square Ponds, and described the works so far as major construction works that can only be compared to the construction of the Kariba Dam. The minister observed that the project was special in that it fostered national unity, peace and economic growth by empowering both men and women with jobs in addition to the numerous benefits that will accrue to the residents of Lusaka through improved water supply, reduced flooding and improved sanitation facilities. Mr. Mutati thanked the American people for the generous gift of US$355 Million funding for the LWSSD project and pledged the Zambian government’s commitment to the project. And Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Acting Resident Country Director Ms. Gigi Goodhart said it was wonderful to see so much progress on the Compact projects. “These are projects that are funded by the American tax payers, through the American government and it’s our pleasure to have such great partnership with the Zambian government,” she said. MCA-Zambia Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Pamela Kasese Bwalya expressed confidence that the LWSSD project will be completed within the stipulated and agreed upon timeframe of five years. “Over the last years there has been a lot of apprehension as to whether we were really going to implement this project but as can be seen, it’s not just talk but action. The work that is being done will impact over 1.2 million people and we are going to see many lives transformed in terms of the health benefits; and for the women who bear the brunt of finding water. The time that it takes them to fetch water will be reduced, particularly in Mtendere because they will have water right in their homes,” she said. Ms. Bwalya thanked the Zambian Government for its commitment towards the project. “So far the Zambian Government has spent over US$18 Million in this project, which has been paid to Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company. This is a true demonstration of government’s commitment to the project,” she said. In May 2012, the Government of the United States of America acting through MCC and the Government of the Republic of Zambia, entered into the Millennium Challenge Compact for a grant of US$355 million for the implementation of the LWSSD project to be implemented by the Millennium Challenge Account Zambia (MCA-Zambia). The project aims to expand access to, and improve the reliability of water supply and sanitation, and improve drainage services in select urban and peri-urban areas of the city of Lusaka. This is in order to decrease the incidence of waterborne and water-related diseases, generate time savings for households and businesses and reduce non-revenue water. It is expected that 1.2 million people in Lusaka will benefit from the project to be implemented over a period of five years. The project is closing on 15th November, 2018. Further, the LWSSD project has an institutional strengthening activity consisting of investments designed to increase the ability of Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company (LWSC) and Lusaka City Council (LCC) to maintain and manage their respective infrastructure assets and more effectively and equably deliver services to Lusaka residents, as well as to support innovation in water, sanitation and drainage related activities.