SRWB secures loan for water project

Southern Region Water Board SRWB has secured a loan of 24.5 million euros which is equivalent to 26.7 billion kwacha from European investment bank EIB for Liwonde Balaka water project

The project will enable the institution to design and construct a water treatment plant in Shire River at Liwonde

Speaking during a district executive committee meeting at Machinga district council SRWB projects manager Andrew Kacheyo said once completed the project is expected to be pumping 15000 cubic meters of water a day

Kacheyo said the project which aims at improving distribution of water in the townships of Liwonde, Balaka and surrounding areas will commence in December after completing procurement of contractor in November

“Let me assure you that the project will be finished in 2024 because SRWB is serious with its projects,” Kacheyo

Welcoming the development Machinga district water development officer Steve Major said “for so long residents around Liwonde have been experiencing intermittent water supply hence the project is very helpful.”

Meanwhile Machinga district council director of planning and development Macpherson Mwakhwawa said the Liwonde Balaka water project will transform lives as people will be accessing safe and portable water

However, Mwakhwawa appealed to SRWB to conduct sensitization campaigns to affected communities to avoid vandalism

Among other components of the EIB project are construction of Mini Hydropower station in Zomba at the water treatment plant