Productive water sector catalyst for economic growth, prods MCC Deputy Vice President Andrew Mayock

Notice: Undefined index: catFilterList in /home/zambi/public_html/wp-content/plugins/wp-likes/api.php on line 243

By Derrick Sinjela Wednesday, December 14, 2011

 

AS MANY residents of Lusaka continue to face daunting challenges to getting access to good water supply, sanitation and drainage systems, the country has received a jab in the arm to help improve the latter.

The Millennium Challenge Cooperation (MCC), a United States government cooperation led by Deputy Vice President Andrew Mayock has concluded a visit to Zambia to finalize the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage (LWSSD) project as proposed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia.

Speaking to journalist last week Mayock said the project will benefit over one million Zambians at a price of US$ 350 million MCC grant programme of US investment.

“The MCC is a United States government agency which is committed to reducing poverty through sustainable economic growth… By United States law…. the MCC only works with a select number of countries that promote good governance, economic freedom and investment in their citizens,” he said.

He charged that Zambia’s recent free and fair elections and current focus on anticorruption fight reflect the principles of good governance. “That is the core of the US partnership wit the Zambian people and all MCC partners,” he added.

“The purpose of my visit… is to conclude the investment package LWSSD project… the key principle of our institution is to and our partnership is country ownership and their own development path. And this project is a great example of this. This US$350 million programme was identified as a priority by Zambians, was developed by Zambians and will be implemented by Zambians,” He said.

“The proposed project aims to increase access to clean and safe drinking water supply and adequate sanitation in the peri-unban areas of Lusaka thereby reducing water born diseases, but it also includes drainage infrastructure and conducting health education and hygiene promotion,” Mayock added.

Mayock further said a more productive and efficient water sector in Zambia will improve the health of Zambians and catalyze economic growth and continue to reduce poverty on a sustainable basis.

“As the next step the project will be presented to the MCC board of directors chaired by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and if approved the compact will be signed in 2012, and it will be followed by five years of implementation,” he said.

Meanwhile Mayock charged that as with any large scale infrastructure investment, the project will take time to implement as Millennium Challenge Account-Zambia (MCA) works on a final design for procurement and construction.

And speaking at the same occasion on behalf of Finance and National Planning Minister Alexander Chikwanda, Secretary to the Treasury Fredson Yamba said Zambia has never received an investment of such a magnitude.

He said the investment package covers water supply, sanitation and drainage projects for the city of Lusaka, which includes the peri-urban areas.

“The objective of the proposed project is to increase incomes through improved health and employability of project beneficiaries through the provision of clean and safe water supply, adequate sanitation and drainage in targeted areas,” he said.

He said, since compact development began 2 years ago, MCC has supported the Zambian government with funds to develop investment master plans in water supply and sanitation for Lusaka to cover short, medium and long term investment programmes for the next 25 years.