…as Njobvu demands for answers from government
A serious water crisis has been raised in Chirundu district, with residents complaining that they have for a long been consuming contaminated water, resulting into many ending upto the clinic.
The situation is dire with people reportedly losing lives to waterborne diseases as well as crocodile attacks from the river where they fetch the commodity.
This came to light when Democratic Union president Ackim Antony Njobvu, visited the boarder town to appreciate people’s challenges.
The residents disclosed that the brownish water being consumed paused serious health risks on people, and have since called for quick interventions from relevant authorities.
Matilda Tembo disclosed that many people had lost their lives in the recent past to crocodiles from the nearby Zambezi river where they fetch water for domestic usage. She also said Waterborne diseases were prevalent in the community.
Tembo further called for assistance in addressing animal – human conflict, disclosing that elephants and hippos have continued terrorising people’s crops.
She said the situation contributes to hunger in the area.
Another resident, Festus Simpamba said many households depend on sachet water popularly known as Drips for drinking, but however said majority of residents do not manage buying drips to sustain their thirst due to hot climatic condition in the district.
Meanwhile, Democratic Union president Ackim Antony Njobvu wondered why the district was facing a water crisis despite having a river nearby which can be utilised.
NJobvu also acknowledged that most parts of the country have recently experienced water challenges, and wondered as to why, considering that Zambia has about 40% water bodies in the entire SADC region.
NJobvu has since called on government to quickly intervene and address the water situation in Chirundu to save lives.
Meanwhile, Njobvu explained that when given an opportunity to govern, his government would establish a National and Engineering and Construction Co-operation that will among others, forsee issues of water supply in the country.
The opposition leader called on the residents to rally behind the DU for a transformative nation.
Francis Chipalo