The Ministry of Water and Sanitation has directed all water boards in Malawi to accelerate the implementation of free water connections within their jurisdictions. This directive was announced during the launch of this year’s Sanitation and Hygiene Week, which was held in Lilongwe and presided over by Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia.
The event, which also marked Global Handwashing Day, was themed “Good Sanitation and Hygiene for Healthy and Smart Communities.”
Minister Mia highlighted that with recent financial backing from the World Bank, the water boards must ensure that all outstanding applications for free water connections are promptly processed. “We have the resources and support now, so it is crucial that the water boards act swiftly to ensure everyone who has applied for free water connections is connected as soon as possible,” Mia said.
Blantyre Water Board Chairperson, Joe Ching’ani, expressed the board’s commitment to supporting this initiative by connecting more customers through the free water connection policy. “We will work diligently to meet the targets set by the ministry and ensure that communities can benefit from this service,” he assured.
As part of the launch event, Minister Mia participated in a sweeping exercise and presided over the donation of water buckets and soap to Chinsapo Primary School, a gift from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to promote handwashing and hygiene in schools.
The Sanitation and Hygiene Week will run from October 21-26, 2024, and aims to raise awareness about the importance of maintaining proper sanitation and hygiene for healthier communities across Malawi.
