Minister of Water development and Sanitation Mike Mposha has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with various stakeholders in a quest to provide water and sanitation services to the Zambian people.
During the troika meeting attended by the representative of the lead cooperating partners that included the Germany ambassador Mitchell Wagner, Mr. Mposha said to improve access to water supply and sanitation, the government is focusing on infrastructure development and maintenance.
Mr. Mposha said water quality monitoring, sanitation and hygiene promotion as well as investment promotion were also a priority.
The Munali Members of Parliament has since appealed to cooperating partners to support the implementation of the 8ndp interventions the government was carrying out.
“As you are aware, the troika meeting provides a platform for the ministry and cooperating partners to meet and share ideas on accelerating the implementation of programmes in the water sector undertaken by the ministry in conjunction with various stakeholders. The troika meeting also provides an opportunity for the ministry and various cooperating partners to interact and exchange information and most importantly agree on areas of focus. This is in order to ensure effective and efficient implementation of programmes. Today’s meeting therefore provides an opportunity for troika members to take stock of the progress made so far on various issues since the last troika meeting that was held on 23rd June, 2022. The meeting is also aimed at providing an update on the 8ndp implementation plan, 2023 action plan, zip resource mobilisation strategy and capacity development priorities. As part of the underlying principles of the sector coordination framework, it is anticipated that you, our cooperating partners, will also highlight your short to medium-term commitments as inputs to the ministry’s plans,” Mr. Mposha stated.
He said the Government was implementing the eighth national development plan which sets out Zambia’s strategic direction in terms of ‘development priorities and implementation strategies for the period 2022-2026.
“The New Dawn Government under the leadership of his Excellency the president of the republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, is implementing the eighth national development plan which sets out Zambia’s strategic direction in terms of ‘development priorities and implementation strategies for the period 2022-2026. The plan is a critical vehicle to support Zambia’s international and regional commitments under various sustainable development goals and SADCregional indicative strategic development plan. The 8ndp is anchored on four strategic development areas namely; economic transformation and job creation, human and social development, environmental sustainability and good governance environment.”
Mr. Mposha continued:”As you are already aware, the water sector has two main sub sectors namely, water resources development and water supply and sanitation. Under strategic development area 1, water is one of the key economic enablers in all sectors of our economy as it is the basis for sustainable economic development. To enhance management and productive use of water resources and ensure national water security, the government is focusing on water harvesting, groundwater resources development, aquifer and water source protection, inter- and intra-basin water transfer, transboundary water cooperation and benefit sharing as well as water resources management.”
“You may be aware that human and social development is fundamental to inclusive development and is a catalyst to the transformation of the country. This strategic area of our eighth national development plan addresses the need to develop human capacity through investments and intervention in water and sanitation. To improve access to water supply and sanitation, the government is focusing on infrastructure development and maintenance, water quality monitoring, sanitation and hygiene promotion as well as investment promotion. In this regard, I wish to appeal to our cooperating partners to support the implementation of the 8ndp interventions that I have alluded to. The government of the republic of Zambia through my ministry remains committed to providing the much needed leadership in ensuring the attainment of the government and all stakeholders’ aspirations on water and sanitation in line with the vision 2030 and the sustainable development agenda,” Mr. Mposha said.
“As I conclude, I would like to thank all our cooperating partners for your support in past years. I would also like to assure you that my ministry has a continued commitment towards accountability and transparency in the use and management of resources. This is in order to ensure that resources are prudently utilized for the intended purposes of enhancing service delivery to our people. On behalf of the ministry and indeed on my own behalf, I wish to reaffirm the government’s commitment to our partnership with you in the quest to provide water and sanitation services for our people. It is my hope that our partnership will continue to grow from strength to strength,” he concluded.