By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –
THE African Development Bank (AfDB) has approved US$15.5 million for the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation initiative to improve rural livelihood in Western Province.
The project has other financing windows which include a grant of US$14 million from the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and a trust fund of EURO 3.5 million from the AfDB.
AfDB principal country programme officer Philip Boahen said the project was expected to create 12,501 jobs during the construction phase.
Mr Boahen said in an interview in Lusaka that the project was part of the National Rural Water and Sanitation Programme spearheaded by the Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
Mr Boahen said the project targeted the 16 districts of Western Province namely, Kalabo, Mongu, Sesheke, Shan’gombo, Kaoma, Lukulu, Senanga, Mwandi, Mulobezi, Sioma, Nalolo, Mitete, Luampa, Nkeyema, Limulunga and Sikongo.
Western Province had Zambia’s lowest rates of access in terms of water supply and sanitation at just slightly above 49 per cent and seven per cent respectively of its rural population having improved services.
In addition, the area had the highest poverty levels in Zambia.
About 80.4 per cent of the population in the province was regarded as being poor, with those in extreme poverty at 64 per cent.
Mr Boahen said the intervention would provide improved water to about 303,000 people and reach out to about 515,000 people through the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) activities and sanitation marketing.
It would result in improved access to safe water and improved sanitation of 78 per cent and 65 per cent respectively by 2017.
“With improved water supply and improved sanitation provision, the reduction of time spent on fetching water and the positive health impact through reduced morbidity will allow the rural population in the project areas to increase production and income generating activities which will ultimately lead to more inclusive growth outcomes and transform rural livelihoods,” he said.
“The idea is to ensure that we have sustainable water supply for the rural folks and to ensure they have equitable access to improved water supply and improved sanitation to meet basic needs for improved health and poverty alleviation for the Zambia’s rural population in western province”.
The project would support the provision of 1,200 new and rehabilitation of 750 existing water supply facilities and contribute to increase the proportion of rural population served in Zambia.
The AfDB had successfully implemented the project in other parts of the country such as Northern, Luapula and Muchinga provinces.