Zambia: Zamtel Hands Over Boreholes

ZAMTEL yesterday handed over boreholes to nine districts in Zambia as part of the company’s ‘Water for Life’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme for the 2012 course.

The 42 boreholes cost K750 million out of the total K2 billion set aside for the ‘Water for Life’ programme.

Zamtel managing director Mupanga Mwanakatwe thanked World Vision Zambia for successfully executing phase one of the ‘Water for Life’ programme in what he described as an exceedingly professional manner.

He was speaking at a handover ceremony held in Makungwa, Chipata in Eastern Province.

“Zamtel had set aside an initial sum of K2 billion towards the ‘Water for Life’ programme. So far, in phase one, we have spent K750 million to sink 42 boreholes in nine districts of Zambia in 2012,” Dr Mwanakatwe said.

He said based on the satisfactory results of phase one, Zamtel had committed additional resources for next year’s CSR programme.

“I was also pleased to observe that Government has committed significant funds in the 2013 Budget towards the provision of clean drinking water to our citizenry. This will result in the sinking of about 2,500 boreholes in various parts of the country.

“This gives us added impetus and encouragement as we endeavour to ensure that all our people have access to clean drinking water,” he said.

World Vision Zambia national director Michael Veitenhams said his organisation was glad to work with Zamtel in meeting the water needs of the rural community.

“The ‘Water for Life’ project will contribute towards the attainment of the millennium development goal number seven of having access to clean and safe drinking water and good sanitary conditions by the year 2015.

“This is because the project will ensure access to clean and safe water for approximately 1,500 vulnerable households in the targeted districts,” Mr Veitenhams said.

Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu, who received the five boreholes in Chipata for the Makungwa community, thanked Zamtel and World Vision Zambia for the gesture.

Mr Zulu said it had been difficult for the people of Makungwa to access clean water.

Senior Chief Nzamane called on his subjects to take good care of the boreholes and ensure that they were maintained properly.