Mutharika commit to secure funds for Blantyre Water Board

President Peter Mutharika on Tuesday paid a surprise visit to the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to appreciate challenges hampering the utility body to improve the water situation for residents in Blantyre and surrounding areas.

Mutharika visiting BWB
Mutharika visiting BWB
Mutharika addressing BWM management
Mutharika addressing BWM management

Blantyre residents and surrounding communities have endured intermittent water supply as BWB frequently shut down its system to ably complete the installation of new water pumping machines at the main water intake, Walkers Ferry.

The development has seen most residents scrambling for water at unsafe sources.

As such, Mutharika said he was “extremely humbled” by the understanding and patience that the Blantyre residents have demonstrated in the face of extreme water challenges.

He also expressed concerned with the state of equipment and deforestation around Mudi dam catchment area.

BWB management also took trouble to update him on progress it has made to improve infrastructure mainly at the main pumping site

“I am particularly excited and supportive of the Likhubula Water Supply System project the board is planning to undertake.

“During my visit to India later this month, my government will conclude the deal to secure about K14 billion for the project where an additional 20,000 cubic metres of water will be produced and significantly reduce the water deficit in the city,” said Mutharika.

He said his government will support the Board’s long term plans to develop a new water source on the River Shire in order to meet the 2040 projected demand of 230,000 cubic metres of treated water.

“We have also approved reforms in Water Boards across the country which among other things will allow them to generate their own power which will help them save up to K1 billion every 4 months in electricity bills.

He also said he dream is to see water boards generating their own electricity for pumping water instead of just depending on the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), which is not reliable with power supply and this affect pumping and distribution of water to households and industries.

Mutharika is expected conclude the deal with the Indian government at the Indian-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) later this month.

Government is trying to secure the funds for Blantyre Water Board’s project that will see the pumping of water from Mulanje Mountain and Lake Malawi to supply to the commercial city and surrounding communities.

It was also noted that BWB will start production of bottled water for their financial sustainability.

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Nana
Nana
8 years ago

To all the people degrading Indian products you better think twice. India is producing durable machinery. The country is exporting a lot of machinery of which some find their way to South Africa (our so called paradise). The much said tatas at police and army might have been procured from India yes but the question is, were we servicing them? FYI India is blessed with top of the class engineers that’s why: In 2009, India emerged as Asia’s fourth largest passenger car exporter behind Japan, South Korea and Thailand; There were 3695 factories producing automotive parts in India as of… Read more »

The Only Democrat Left
The Only Democrat Left
8 years ago

The biggest forex payment being made even today is interest for those TATAS bought for police and army by Muluzi.
If dunderhead Mutharika brought back the billions that he and his thankfully dead brother Bingu stole from Malawi every Malawian would have clean water. So hear well dunderhead Mutharika bring our money back to Malawi and then Foot Sake to Mikuyu

Majaivane
Majaivane
8 years ago

You were a millionaire before you came to malawi. Why are we suffering?

kajedza
kajedza
8 years ago

To No. 11. We are in 2015 and not the 1990′ VW cars made in India are now exported to RSA -FYI. Tata indigo car was ‘Car of the Yea”r in South Africa. Jaguar & Landrover are made by Tata Components for NASA aircraft are made by Tata 80% of the tippers in Malawi are from Tata-FYI All the software in the Malawi banks are from India. PVHO Malawi heavy machinery is from India. DWH has machines from India. Ginning factory Salima has machines made in India. Many of the equipments at Airports are made & from India Much better… Read more »

Makwasasa
Makwasasa
8 years ago

I know the president is fat, but he needs to buy properly fitting suites, after all he is a millionare.

Nyani
Nyani
8 years ago

Publicity stunt, this was just a dog and pony show. Nothing to write home about.

Che Wanimiliyoni
Che Wanimiliyoni
8 years ago

Much as I am not a civil engineer but my gut feeling is this Mulanje to Blantyre piped water system is another white elephant. If we are having problems pumping water from Nkula to Blantyre with a height difference of 1km and a distance of less than 50km what’s more with Mulanje which is almost 70km away and mountainous all the way? And to make matters worse were talking about 20,000 cubic meters of water only! Why don’t you improve the much closer Chiradzulu dam? By the way I felt sad one day when I read that Lilongwe Water Board… Read more »

mtate mike rsa
mtate mike rsa
8 years ago

Wena pitala u have nothing to offer we already know that u are good for nothing just keepon stealing our money noone to blem(i doubt if u can succeed in all this fuckshit of wota)

Yona
Yona
8 years ago

Just get money from India and buy products from South Africa. That’s all. Don’t tell me we are buying anything from there. And a bwana when you go there be careful amwenye know how to talk…they will give you advance payment for everything. Be careful bwana…mwamva?

The real ujeni
The real ujeni
8 years ago

I hope in India it is money deal only but if it is products worth that amount, am afraid will be back next year same time like today crying of the same problems. Don’t you Malawi people and government forget how TATA vehicles bought for the Police and Army ended up Parked at garages immediately after one year? Government lost billions of kwacha on that deal. Indian products are not of high standard and durable. Don’t say you were not reminded about this. We are people who forget quickly and accept low quality products as long as its from overseas.

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