Karonga, April 25: Karonga District Commissioner (DC) Rodrick Mateauma has applauded Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for introducing free water tokens to vulnerable communities, saying the initiative will ensure increased access to safe water.

Mateauma was speaking at Simon Mwanganda Village in Karonga on Monday when NRWB handed over a free water token to Mwanganda Kiosk.

NRWB is implementing a Free Water Token to Fight Cholera initiative, targeting 400 communal water points and 90 schools in the northern region to fight against the spread of cholera.

Mateauma said safe water remains key if the district is to significantly reduce or eliminate the spread of water borne diseases such as cholera.

Board Chairperson for NRWB, Frank Mwenifumbo, said the 400 communal water points and 90 schools will enjoy free water for the next six months.

Mwenifumbo said the free water tokens intervention is aimed at aligning with President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tithetse Kolera Campaign.

Agnes Mzumara from Mwanganda Kiosk expressed gratitude to NRWB for portable water, adding that, before this, they were drinking unsafe water which has been a source of many sicknesses in their community