• There is need for increased water sector collaboration and cooperation.
• This is important as it would offer possible solutions for government to achieve better value for money.
• Service providers in the water supply and sanitation sector must embrace PPPs by developing bankable projects.
National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) has called for Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector to ensure that all parts of the country have access to clean and safe drinking water by 2030.
Commenting on the 2023 World Water Day which falls on 22nd March, every year, Council Public Relations & Communications Manager Mpunga Simukwai said this is important as it would offer possible solutions for government to achieve better value for money and fund investments needed to provide infrastructure which is key to increasing access to water especially for the rural areas.
Mrs. Simukwai stated that there is need for increased water sector collaboration and cooperation for the sector to make significant strides towards attainment of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 6, Vision 2030 and the 8th National Development Plan for Zambia.
“Government has made progress towards this vision through launching and implementing programmes such as the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation and the Zambia Investment Programmes in its quest to meet the SDG number 6.”
“The commemoration is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 6, which aims to increase access to clean and safe drinking water and adequate Sanitation for all by 2030,” Mrs. Simukwai noted.
She urged Service providers in the water supply and sanitation sector to embrace Public Private Partnerships by developing bankable projects that will attract the needed investments in the Sector.
“The NWASCO 2021 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report states that the National Urban Water Coverage stands at 89.2%. There is need for all stakeholders to synergize and concert efforts that will ensure that all parts of the country have access to clean and safe drinking water by 2030,” she added.
Zambia has today 22nd March, 2023 joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Water Day under the theme; Accelerating Change in the Zambian Water Sector through partnerships and Cooperation.
