Zambia Human Development Report launched
The United Nations Development Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Zambia Chamber of Commerce (ZACCI) and various stakeholders (UNDP) has officially launched the 2016 Zambia Human Development Report in Central Province.
The report themed “Industrialization and Human Development and Sustainable goals” was launched Wednesday in Kabwe at Tuskers Hotel attracted various stakeholders including Zambia Association of Chambers of Commerce(ZACCI),Ministry of Commerce and Trade,Lusemfwa Hydro Power Company, Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company(LgWSC) and Mulungushi University.
Speaking during the launch, Central Province Permanent Secretary Daisy Ng’ambi said that the 2016 ZHDR is timely for it is essentially forward looking and more importantly, it has been published at a time when Zambia is developing the 7th National Development Plan.
The Permanent Secretary who was being represented by her Deputy Felix Mangwato explained that any industrial policy requires coordinated multi-sectoral inputs to ensure successful outcomes, particularly in sustainable economic growth and human development.
Meanwhile, Lukanga Water and Sewerage Company (LgWSC) reiterated its commitment towards the attainment of SDG’s.
Making a submission on goal number 6 of the SDG’s, which is aimed at ensuring availability and sustainable management of Water and Sanitation for all, LgWSC Customer Service Manager Fredrick Lutangu commended the report saying that it is bringing out issues affecting all and also the water sector in particular.
He said that LgWSC is committed to work with government and all cooperating partners to access funds for the detailed design and implementation of the feasibility study recommendations in order to improve water and sanitation services throughout Central Province.
He added that it was gratifying to see in the report how water and sanitation is key to development.
“It is a proven fact that water and sanitation is Central to health, poverty alleviation and economic development.
He revealed that the Water Utility Company in collaboration with the government through the Ministry of Local Government and Housing and also a German financing institution (KFW) undertook a feasibility study in 2015 that revealed the Water and Sanitation requirements that would meet the demand beyond 2030 for the 7 towns in which the company was providing a service to.
“According to the feasibility study, an estimated total of 74 million Euros is required to upgrade, expand and rehabilitate Urban Water and Sanitation infrastructure in Central Province” Mr. Lutangu said.
In order to support government in Central Province, we have formulated various short, medium and long term plans for the rehabilitation, upgrade and expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure to levels befitting a middle income nation by 2030 in line with the national vision.
Lutangu revealed that the 2015 feasibility study which LgWSC, Ministry of Local Government and Housing and a German Financing Institution (KFW) undertook will be followed by detailed designing before undertaking a major infrastructure upgrade project to be funded by the government under the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Program (NUWSSP).
Lutangu revealed that the Water Utility was aware of the water crisis in Mumbwa and Chibombo partly being exacerbated the shortfall of power supply and also dilapidated system which needs complete overhaul.
He said that there are measures that have since been put in place to mitigate the crisis, adding that currently the company’s K 1million, 1 hundred and 99 thousand project in Chbombo has neared completion.
“The sitting and drilling of two boreholes, installation of a new pumping line and rehabilitation of the existing tanks at the New Boma Chibombo area has reached an advanced stage and the project should be commissioned before the end of this year.” Lutangu said.
He mentioned that the feasibility study bridges all the gaps in Central Province in terms of Water and Sanitation infrastructure development, adding that the company is optimistic that funds to complete the projects will soon be made available.
The Zambia Human Development Report is aimed at building on a systematic and careful review of the country’s Industrial development in the last decade and capture a human development focused policy agenda which aligns well with the priorities and core directions of the Zambian government.