Government, AfDB reportedly invests over $42 million in small towns water project

The Government, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has invested over US$42 million under the Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Parliament has heard.

Initiated in 2018 and scheduled for completion in 2026, the project targets 12 districts across Northern, Muchinga, Luapula, and Western Provinces, according to Minister of Water Development and Sanitation Services Collins Nzovu.

Nzovu told Parliament through a ministerial statement in Lusaka on Thursday that in Western Province, the project covers Mongu, Sesheke, Senanga, and Kaoma districts, with the aim of improving access to clean water and sanitation services.

He said the overall progress of works under the Integrated Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Project stands at 90 percent.

“The Western Water Supply and Sanitation Company currently produces an average of 16,000 cubic metres of water per day against a demand of 37,000 cubic metres, leaving a deficit of 21,000 cubic metres,” Nzovu highlighted.

He said the gap was worsened in the first quarter of 2025 when power load management reduced production to 12,000 cubic metres per day.

The minister said this situation demonstrated the urgent need for sustainable and climate-resilient water solutions.

“I want to acknowledge the Government Assurance made in 2022, which led to the allocation of one hundred and twenty (120) boreholes and two piped water schemes to Western Province,” Nzovu said.

However, he regretted that due to poor contractor performance, only nine boreholes were successfully completed out of the planned 120 under the contract.

Nzovu said the unsatisfactory performance led to the termination of the contract.

He added that similar issues were recorded in projects involving the construction of 50 new boreholes, rehabilitation of 185 non-functional boreholes, and construction of 43 piped water schemes between 2022 and 2024, resulting in further contract terminations.

“Recognising the critical importance of ensuring access to safe water for the people of Western Province, the Ministry has allocated funds in the 2025/26 budget to complete the remaining works on the terminated contracts,” he said.

Nzovu added that the Ministry had granted authority to the Provincial Administration to procure and execute the remaining works.

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