STOPPING THE LAKE MALAWI WATER SUPPLY PROJECT IS A RETROGRESSIVE ACTION

By Undule Mwakasungula

For Media Release:
News that the Forum for National Development (FND) through their Lawyer restraining commercial banks -NBS Bank and National Bank of Malawi and Khato Civils (Private) Limited from transacting financially on the project is worrisome and a setback on this long much awaited water supply project.

Putting partisan interests aside the Lake Malawi Water Supply Project is a very important and viable project. The project will tap water from Lake Malawi to the city of Lilongwe, surrounding areas and town centres along the M14 Lilongwe – Salima Road. The Project will also increase water availability for Lilongwe City and strengthen capacity of Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) and surrounding Towns as to respond to adverse climatic conditions, hence sustain reliable water supply to its customers.

Water being life it is paramount to remember that our way of life depends on clean water. Our economy depends on clean water, manufacturing, farming, tourism, recreation, energy production, and other economic sectors need clean water to function and flourish hence the importance of the Lake Malawi Water Supply Project.

*An example of a serious water supply project*

Further, the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) ensures availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, and this confirms the importance of water and sanitation in the national and global political agenda. SDG 6 also recognizes that social development and economic prosperity depend on the sustainable management and sharing of freshwater resources and ecosystems.

I therefore appeal to the FND leadership to withdraw the injunction to allow the facilitation of the project without further hindrance. It is no secret this project has been surrounded by so much controversies since its inception but politics aside it is a much – needed project for the benefit of Malawians.

Lastly, much as we have constitutional democratic rights to exercise, it is also time we promoted national issues above and beyond our political interests for the sake of national development.