Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection has reaffirmed government’s commitment towards effective participation of the private sector in the provision of water and sanitation services.

Dr.  Jonas Chanda said government recognizes its mandate in providing water supply and sanitation services, therefore it has continued to implement various water supply and sanitation infrastructure projects across the country to ensure access to water and sanitation services for all.

Dr. Chanda said that it is in this vain that the Seventh National Development Plan also seeks to promote alternative financing as well as effective participation of the private sector in the provision of social services that includes water and sanitation.

“Water, sanitation and good hygiene practice is key in enhancing human development and remains at the centre of sustainable development goals. As such, the United Nations highlights pitfalls resulting from lack of water. These include, nearly 1,000 children dying globally each day due to preventable water and sanitation-related diarrheal diseases and 2.4 billion people lacking access to basic sanitation services, such as toilets or latrines among others.”

“I wish to reiterate government commitment towards effective participation of the private sector in the provision of water and sanitation. This is why government found it prudent to invite the private sector to join hands in providing water and sanitation in the city of Lusaka,” Dr. Chanda said.

He stated government has over the past ten years, invested over half a billion dollars in Lusaka alone, in water and sanitation projects through different financing arrangements with cooperating partners.

“These projects include the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Project, Kafue Bulk Water Project, and the Lusaka Sanitation Program, through different financing arrangements with our cooperating partners.”

“In addition the creation of the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection in the last three years has seen the budgetary allocation for the Ministry increasing by 80 percent from 2017 to 2019. These and many other efforts being implemented by the government require support from the private sector and other players in ensuring the needs of our people are met.”

He added that the Lusaka City Master Plan requires over $US 3 billion to reticulate water and sanitation services and adequately meet the water and sanitation needs of the city.

The Minister called on the private sector to extend their corporate social responsibility by supporting projects to improve access to water and sanitation services in the country.

Dr. Chanda was speaking during the engagement meeting with the Private Sector in Lusaka to discuss investment in Water and Sanitation and Hygiene for Seven Constituencies.

And speaking at the same event, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Development Mabvuto Sakala said the engagement with the private sector demonstrates the importance government attaches to the role of the sector in fostering national development.

He added that government has continued to make strides in ensuring improved water supply and sanitation for all by putting in place various policy and legislative framework which include 2010 national water policy and 2019 national water supply and sanitation policy and others.

“Current statistics shows an upwards trajectory  from the  65 percent access to water  in 2014 to the current 72 percent and  from the 25 percent in 2014 to the current 54 percent for sanitation.

Mr. Sakala expressed gratitude to the private sector for rendering support towards the 2030 goal on water and sanitation for all, further appealing to private players to join forces with government in providing improved access to water and sanitation.

“I would like to assure the private sector of government commitment in ensuring accountability and transparency for the resources towards promoting water and sanitation,” Mr. Sakala stated.