Kabwe District in Central Province is set to benefit from the four million pound (€4 Million) Dutch Government funded Urban Sanitation and Hygiene for Health and Development Project, which is to be implemented over a period of five years.
Released findings indicate that on-site sanitation service provision remains poor in Peri-Urban Areas despite being habitat for over 80% of the population in Central Province.
On-site sanitation ranges from septic tanks to pit latrines and these have not been given adequate attention.
The project is expected to reach 210,000 beneficiaries who should have access to sanitation, and 260,000 beneficiaries that could benefit from hygiene services across the five targeted towns in Zambia.
It is in this regard that SNV, a Netherlands Non-Governmental Organisation and Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company Limited (LgWSC) have indicated that the Chambeshi, Lukanga Sanitation Project is a matter of urgency.
SNV Sanitation Project Manager Kumbulani Ndhlovu says the project yet to be implemented calls for urgent action especially in Kabwe where open defecation is currently standing at over 16% as compared to other towns where it is on a lower side.
He also notes that despite the majority of people in peri-urban areas having on-site sanitation, they are using pit latrines which are not lined and this makes it difficult for emptying.
He also notes that the majority of people in Peri-Urban areas relied on poor On-site Sanitation, with pit latrines that are difficult to empty.
Mr.Ndhlovu explains that the project will endeavour to address those challenges adding that a Task Force comprising of various stakeholders has been set up to prepare an action plan about what should be addressed by the project and other cooperating partners.
He has expressed happiness at the conclusion of the baseline survey indicating that the project will be evidence based, and will also focus on implementing a behaviour change Communication Campaign, aimed at improving safety practices, enforcement of regulation and capacity building for the council.
Meanwhile, LgWSC Public Relations Officer, Louis Mwape says the meeting was a great point of departure for many action points to be implemented for the benefit of the people.
He says his organization looks forward to improve sanitation coverage which currently stands at 39%. He expressed happiness that SNV has come on board to help increase the utility’s Sanitation coverage.