The National Water and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) has joined the rest of the world in commemorating the World Water Day which falls on the 22nd March, 2023.
The commemoration is in line with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 6, which aims to increase access to clean and safe drinking water and adequate Sanitation for all by 2030.
The council said the day’s theme ‘Accelerating Change in the Zambian Water Sector through partnerships and Cooperation’ resonates with NWASCO’s call for increased water sector collaboration and cooperation if the sector is to make significant strides towards the attainment of the SDG 6, Vision 2030 and the 8th National Development Plan for Zambia.
In a statement NWASCO said Government has made progress towards the vision through launching and implementing programmes such as the National Urban Water Supply and Sanitation, National Rural Water Supply and Sanitation and the Zambia Investment Programmes in it’s quest to meet the SDG number 6.
It further added that the need for Public-Private partnerships (PPPs) in the water sector is important as it would offer possible solutions for government to achieve better value for money and fund the investments needed to provide infrastructure which is key to increasing access to water especially for the rural areas of Zambia.
“The NWASCO 2021 Urban and Peri-Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report states that the National Urban Water Coverage stands at 89.2%”.
“There is need for all stakeholders to synergize and concert efforts that will ensure that all parts of the country have access to clean and safe drinking water by 2030”.
The council further concluded on the need for Service providers in the water supply and sanitation sector to also embrace Public Private Partnerships by developing bankable projects that will attract the needed investments in the Sector.
