By ALICE NACHILEMBE
Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company Managing Director Reuben Kaira says decent toilets are supposed to be available and sustainable for people to continue to have better lives.
Eng Kaira said that the company has a strategic Business plan which is focusing on investing more in sanitation especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
He was speaking at the commemoration of World Toilet Day held in Mushishima today.
The MD said that the theme ‘sustainable sanitation and Climate Change’ calls for everyone to be environmentally conscious in respective fields and help protect the earth.
Eng Kaira said the company is a key player in advocating for issues on climate change and will continue to provide leadership in environmentally friendly sanitation practices.
And Mulonga Water Board Chairperson Emmanuel Sandi said the company has some extra responsibility as accessibility to decent sanitation facilities in rural and peri-urban communities is limited or non-existence.
Mr Sandi said the extended foot print entails for the company to strive and widen water and sanitation services coverage with deliberate efforts to carter for rural and peri-urban communities.
He said the company is currently implementing a number of projects in peri-urban communities.
Mr sandi said that the construction of 436 VIP toilets in Chingola, Chililabombwe and Mufurila is the first the company is undertaking in improving sanitation in peri-urban areas.
He said peri-urban areas have been lagging behind in terms of toilet facilities and regrettably has less resources allocated to the areas.
Mr Sandi said the government attaches a great importance to the issues of water and sanitation this is evidence funding the water utility with €156 euros for infrastructure rehabilitation.
And Chingola District Commissioner Agnes Tonga has challenged the water utility and the Local Authority to come up with interventions in the district that can improve access to sanitation in peri- urban areas and rural communities.
Ms Tonga said the toilet does not only promote good health but also bring dignity to the people especially women and girls.
She said a toilet is an important aspect of life and the lack of a proper toilet can be the origin of poverty as people may be unable to carry out daily activities.
