Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary Engineer Romas Kamanga says his Ministry is making efforts to address the right to water as a human right.
Mr. Kamanga stated that Government has been working on several projects and documents to ensure fair water provision practices.
He said the Water Policy has been revised, and a Statutory Instrument on Rainwater Harvesting is now in place.
The Permanent Secretary said the Cabinet has further given a go-ahead to amend the Water Resources Management Act.
Mr. Kamanga emphasised the importance of financing and support to fight for water rights and ensure sustainable water management.
This came to light when the Zambia NGO WASH Forum paid a courtesy call on him in Lusaka.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Caucus on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (PC-WASH) Chairperson Mutinta Twaambo explained that the Parliamentary Caucus on WASH was established following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Zambia NGO WASH Forum and the National Assembly through Speaker Nellie Mutti.
He said the Caucus comprises over thirty MPs and has developed a new relationship with the Zambia NGO WASH Forum, yielding positive results in knowledge exchange.
Mr. Twaambo said recently MPs trained by the Forum learned about the encroachment on water recharge points.
He noted that MPs are feeling the pinch of the water crisis, as they sometimes have to sink boreholes using their funds.
And Zambia NGO WASH Forum Coordinator Bubala Muyovwe-Mumba explained that the Forum was established following a visit by the Ministry of Local Government to Uganda, where they became interested in the coordination of NGOs in Zambia’s water sector.
She mentioned that UNICEF initially funded the creation and operationalisation of the Forum’s secretariat.
She noted that the Forum currently has 40 members and is still growing.
Meanwhile, Zambia NGO WASH Forum Board Chairperson Marlon Phiri remarked that the Forum is uniting the supply and demand side because the demand side often perceives things as unfair due to a lack of understanding.
Mr. Phiri emphasised the importance of awakening other innovations and collecting these to amplify successful models, thereby avoiding the need to reinvent the wheel.
He highlighted the necessity of dialogue to ensure that the demand side understands the issues, which can lead to a change in mindset.
And Water Voices United Project Manager Maria Carriero remarked that her project is adding value towards further coordination of the WASH sector.
“The Water Voices United is a transformative four-year project, co-funded by the European Union and Danish People’s Aid and spearheaded by SNV in partnership with the NGO WASH Forum. This initiative aims to enhance the capabilities and synergies among WASH Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Zambia. By fostering the CSOs role in WASH governance, the project supports the Zambian Government’s efforts towards the progressive realization of the Human Right to Water and Sanitation. Together, we are not just aiming for change; we’re ensuring a sustainable and equitable future where access to clean water and safe sanitation becomes a reality for all,” she said.
This is contained in a statement issued by Zambia NGO WASH Forum Communications Officer Bangwe Naviley.
