President Edgar Lungu says there is need to increase investment in infrastructure development and enhance adoption of greener technologies to supply water and sanitation services as a response to the effects of climate change.
Speaking during the swearing in ceremony of newly appointed Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, Dr. Jonas Chanda, and Zambia National Service Deputy Commandant Major General. Benson Miti, President Lungu stated that it is inexcusable that the country is endowed with vast water bodies and yet most people do not have access to clean drinking water.
The Head of State said government has continued to make strides in improving service delivery in the Provision of water and sanitation services.
He however stated that more requires to be done to ensure that the country’s population has access to water and sanitation so as to reach the target of universal access by the year 2030.
“It is inexcusable that in many vast areas of our country we are endowed with vast water bodies and yet our people do not have access to water. We even pride ourselves as having the most water in the region. We can only pride ourselves if we utilized this resource to the benefit of our people.”
“Therefore, there is need to increase investment in infrastructure development and enhance adoption of greener technologies such as solar to supply water and sanitation services as a response to the effects of climate change.”

President Lungu further observed that the need for improved service delivery by water utility companies has now become even more apparent amidst the coronavirus pandemic, adding that water harvesting is another critical area that the Ministry needs to urgently address.

“In the area of environmental pollution control, it is worth noting that while Zambia has witnessed unprecedented development in various economic spheres of our economy such as mining, agriculture and other industries, these well-meaning developments have a potential to harm our environment and thus compromise our sustainable development agenda and the prospects of our future generation.”

“Scaling up interventions is hence the key to addressing the offshoots of these developments.’

And President Lungu reminded the newly appointed Minister that the Ministry of water development, sanitation and environmental protection, which he is now taking charge of, plays a critical role in ensuring government’ sustainable developmental agenda.
“I want to state that the Ministry of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection, which you have now taken charge of, plays a critical role in propelling our sustainable development agenda. The key mandate of your Ministry is among other things, to ensure universal access to water and sanitation and improved development and management of water resources.”

“I note that you spent over 15 years working with international donor funded health organizations in Zambia, Botswana, Swaziland, Rwanda and Nigeria at the level of country representative. I therefore, expect you to utilize the skills that you gained during your tour of duty as a Medical Doctor to galvanize various efforts and support from within government and cooperating partners to build on the achievements made this far in your Ministry,” President Lungu said.

Meanwhile, newly appointed Minister of Water Development, Sanitation and Environmental Protection Dr. Jonas Chanda thanked President Edgar Lungu for giving him a rare opportunity to serve in Cabinet.
Dr. Chanda pledged to take up the challenge of ensuring universal access to water for all by the year 2030.