Vice President Inonge Wina has called for more investment in water and sanitation if the outbreak of diseases is to be prevented in the country.
Wina said investment in water sanitation and hygiene are a positive cost in social and economic returns and that they benefit the vulnerable group in society and prevent many citizens from outbreaks such as cholera.
Water Development and Sanitation Minister Dennis Wanchinga during the official opening of the 8th Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition – ZAWAFE, stated that water management is a core component of social and economic development hence the need to raise awareness on water security.
He noted with sadness the recent negative experiences that the country has endured as a result of poor sanitations, inadequate access to drinking water and the 2018/2019 drought spell and that government will put measures to minimize the impact of poor sanitations and enhance water security within its broader context.
He called on the ministries of water development, health, local government and the disaster mitigation unity to ensure water insecurity is minimized while access to access sanitation is enhanced. The government has declared the second week of June as the Zambia water week to be commemorated annually and nationwide.
And World Bank Representative Cestari Anna said Zambia is a country that is reach in water hence the need to understand the impact of sanitation to enable effective initiatives that would provide water security in the country.
She said the water forum creates a platform for the country to find the best methods that will protect water sources and improve sanitation.
This 8th Zambia Water Forum and Exhibition is themed “The impact of sanitation on water security in sun-Saharan Africa towards implementation of the sustainable development goal number 6,”
