The German Government has reaffirmed its long-term partnership with Zambia in water security, sanitation, and hygiene, backing the construction of a major wastewater project in Lusaka, valued at approximately 33 million Euros.
Speaking after touring the Trunk Sewer Main and Energy Autonomous Wastewater Treatment Plants under construction in Ngwerere and Chunga, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development State Secretary Niels Annen said the project symbolizes decades of cooperation between the two countries.
Mr ANNEN said the project is expected to benefit over 500,000 residents through improved sanitation and public health in densely populated parts of Lusaka.
“We’re seeing some of the construction work behind us which is an embodiment of the long-lasting partnership between Germany and Zambia, “Mr Annen said.
Mr Annen noted Germany’s extensive experience in the water and hygiene sector.
“Germany traditionally has accumulated a lot of knowledge and experience in the water and also in the hygiene sector and with our partners, we have been able to make a financial contribution,” he added.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Water development and Sanitation Permanent secretary, Romas Kamanga, said the project is in line with government’s vision 2030, a sustainable development goal number six which requires sanitation for all by 2023.
Mr KAMANGA noted that the project is important as it speaks directly to those aspirations.
He appreciated the grant for the German Government stating that government can not achieve such projects without partnerships, thereby welcoming the grant from KfW.
“Government alone cannot manage to do this project, that is why we need these partners with us, so the grant from KfW is very much welcome and it took the government to negotiate for these grants and also to take certain steps so that we can qualify for this grant,” Mr Kamanga said.
Meanwhile, Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company Managing Director Jilly Chiyombwe said the Chunga Wastewater Treatment Plant is being built to replace an existing facility that can no longer handle industrial discharge.
He explained that the current plant suffered breakdowns after receiving improper industrial wastewater management.
“We have an existing plant here which has a capacity of about 9,000 cubic metres per day in terms of wastewater treatment.
“When industrial wastewater comes into a plant like this one, and is not properly managed, it can cause a lot of damage to the plant and Lusaka Water is now engaging industries to install pre-treatment facilities at their premises so that discharge meets municipal sewer standards,” Mr Chiyombwe said.
He added that the project will create jobs during construction through contractors, consultants, and subcontractors and once complete, Lusaka Water will take over operations.
Mr Chiyombwe also said that in ensuring sustainability, the utility has partnered with Lusaka Business and Technical College to train plant operators under a dual-VET model that combines classroom and industry training.
“Our operators are trained on how to manage this plant, during the two-year operational phase and have put in place measures to ensure that there is sustainability,” he added.
(Lusaka Times)
