By CHINOYI CHIPULU
Minister of Finance and National planning Situmbeko Musokotwane says Government will soon give a comprehensive direction on the future of the Kafulafuta Water Supply Improvement project in Masaiti District.
Dr Musokotwane said Government will state its position within two weeks on the stalled works on the Kafulafuta Dam project on the Copperbelt.
Works on the US447 million dollars project have stalled for three years due to financial challenges.
Dr Musokotwane was accompanied to Masaiti by Minister of Energy Peter Kapala, Minister of Information and Media Chushi Kasanda and Copperbelt Minister Elisha Matambo among other Government officials.
“I am sure you are aware that with so many debts, at some point you have to choose as a country which project to continue and which ones must wait. I think by us sending teams here, it was an appreciation of importance we attach to this project.
“This will help us coming to a quick decision on the way forward for the dam. I have heard all your pleas, just give us one or two weeks, we will get back to you,” he said.
And Kafubu Water and Sanitation Company Managing Director Athanasius Mwaba urged Government not to abandon the project which is near completion.
Mr Mwaba said abandoning the project will deny people of Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti of accessing safe quality water.
“The project will improve the quality and quantity of water. If you cancel this project today, it will mean Government is telling the people that you continue drinking the sewage water that you have been drinking and apparently Ndola, Luanshya and Masaiti drink from the same river,” he said.
The water utility company services the aforementioned three towns on the Copperbelt
