REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

MINISTRY OF WATER DEVELOPMENT AND SANITATION SPEECH  FOR THE HON. ENG. COLLINS NZOVU, MP MINISTER OF WATER DEVELOPMENT AND SANITATION

DURING THE LAUNCH OF THE 2024 WATER SUPPLY AND SANITATION SECTOR REPORT

 ON MONDAY, 27^TH APRIL 2026,

AT MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, LUSAKA.

• Minister, Local Government and Rural Development, Mr. Gift. Simuunza Sialubalo, MP

• The Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, Eng. Romas Kamanga,
• Representatives of Cooperating Partners in the Water and Sanitation Sector,
• Senior government officials present,
• NWASCO Board Chairperson, Mr. Silvester Hibajene,
• NWASCO Board Members,
• Board of Directors for Commercial Utilities,
• NWASCO Director, Eng Kelvin Chitumbo,
• Managing Directors for Commercial Utilities
• Chief Executive Officers from other Regulatory Bodies
• Distinguished guests
• Members of the press
• Ladies and gentlemen

It is that time of the year once again when we gather to witness the launch of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Report. I am greatly honoured and pleased to be part of this important and auspicious occasion.

It is particularly gratifying to note that this is the 24th edition of the report, and that its launch coincides with the silver jubilee of the regulation of water supply and sanitation services in Zambia. This milestone underscores our collective commitment to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in the sector.

This event forms part of our stakeholder engagement efforts aimed at disseminating information on the performance of water and sanitation service providers for the year 2025. I am confident that the findings of this report will further drive commercial utilities towards enhanced service delivery and operational efficiency.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Water remains a critical pillar for national development. It is for this reason that the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, established the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation in September 2021, to provide focused leadership in addressing water and sanitation challenges. Consequently, increasing access to safe water and adequate sanitation remains a key priority under the Eighth National Development Plan.

The Government, through the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, remains firmly committed to ensuring that adequate, reliable, and sustainable water supply and sanitation services are accessible to all citizens, men and women, boys and girls alike. However, the attainment of Vision 2030 requires collective effort. All stakeholders must play their part to ensure meaningful and measurable progress.

In particular, commercial utilities must continue to improve service delivery and meet the prescribed minimum service level benchmarks. I am encouraged by the strides made so far towards achieving the national targets of 100 percent water supply coverage and 90 percent sanitation coverage by 2030, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite this progress, the sector continues to face numerous challenges. These include ageing and inadequate infrastructure, high levels of non-revenue water, pollution of water sources, encroachment on infrastructure, as well as vandalism and theft of installations. These challenges have been further worsened by the effects of climate change, which have led to the drying up of water sources and increased load management.

Additionally, rapid population growth, urbanisation, and increased demand for water across various sectors of the economy continue to place significant pressure on existing infrastructure.

Addressing these challenges requires deliberate policy shifts, enhanced collaboration, and the mobilisation of adequate financial resources. We must also remain vigilant in preventing outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera.

The Ministry, working closely with key stakeholders, is implementing targeted interventions to address these challenges and accelerate progress towards universal access to water and sanitation.

Ladies and Gentlemen

Additionally, today we are launching the Ministry’s Change Management and Gender Strategy and Implementation Plan, an important milestone in advancing the Public Service Change Management Framework within the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation. This strategy demonstrates our commitment to strengthening institutional structures, improving efficiency, and enhancing service delivery as we work toward achieving national priorities and global commitments in the water and sanitation sector. It reflects a deliberate and collaborative effort to build a more responsive, coordinated, and resilient ministry.

Ladies and Gentlemen

I wish to sincerely acknowledge the support provided by the Nexus Energy and Water Programme for Zambia (NEWZA-GIZ) in the development of this strategy. I also extend my appreciation to all stakeholders and partners whose active participation and contributions have been critical throughout this process. We believe that meaningful and sustainable transformation can only be achieved through shared ownership and practical collaboration.

As we launch this strategy, I call upon all stakeholders and partners to fully support its implementation. Its success will depend not only on institutional reforms, but also on our collective commitment to collaboration, accountability, and cultural transformation. Through this shared effort, we will strengthen the ministry’s impact and improve water and sanitation service delivery for all Zambians.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Government has undertaken significant policy reforms, including the promulgation of the National Water Policy of 2024, which I had the honour of launching in October 2024. Furthermore, the revision of the Water Supply and Sanitation Act No. 28 of 1997 and the Water Resources Management Act No. 21 of 2011 is underway, with the latter at an advanced stage.

These reforms are intended to address existing gaps and strengthen the sector’s legal and institutional framework. To operationalise these reforms, the Ministry is implementing its 2022–2026 Strategic Plan under the theme: “A proactive ministry ensuring water security and adequate sanitation for all.”

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you are aware, Zambia experienced one of the worst droughts in its history, prompting the President Mr. Hakainde Hichilema to declare the drought a national disaster and emergency on 29th February 2024. This situation had a significant impact on the water sector, leading to widespread water shortages due to reduced rainfall and declining reservoir levels.

Load shedding further compounded these challenges, affecting service delivery by water utilities. However, this crisis also provided an opportunity to reassess and strengthen our resilience as a sector.

In response, the Government developed a comprehensive Drought Response Plan, aimed at enhancing water storage capacity, promoting water conservation, and expanding the use of groundwater and alternative water sources. A National Rainwater Harvesting Strategy and Implementation Plan was also developed in September 2024 to improve water security.

To spearhead implementation, I constituted a multi-stakeholder response team, which has since made significant progress. Notably:

• Minor maintenance works have been completed on 519 dams across several provinces;
• Major rehabilitation works have been undertaken on key dams, including Chitindi and Kabombwa;
• Two dams, Kawawa and Muyembe have been completed;
• Feasibility studies are underway for major dam projects in Kalomo, Lufupa, and Chongwe;
• Twenty-two commercial boreholes have been drilled to supplement water supply;
• Fifty-five standby water pumps have been procured for distribution to commercial utilities; and
• Under rural water supply, 156 boreholes have been drilled in drought-affected districts.

These interventions are expected to benefit over two million people. I urge the response team to expedite the remaining works to ensure timely completion.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

As part of these efforts, I launched the National Water Conservation Campaign, spearheaded by NWASCO with support from GIZ-NEWZA. This initiative aims to promote responsible water use among households, businesses, and industries, thereby enhancing long-term sustainability.

The campaign also addresses the dangers of vandalism, theft, and encroachment on water infrastructure. Let me take this opportunity to caution members of the public that such acts are illegal and will be met with the full force of the law.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Non-revenue water remains a major concern, currently exceeding 50 percent due to both physical and commercial losses. To address this, the Ministry is implementing the 2022–2026 National Non-Revenue Water Management Strategy, supported by a dedicated task force.

I wish to emphasise that reducing non-revenue water is critical for the financial sustainability of commercial utilities. I therefore direct the task force to ensure full and effective implementation of this strategy.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The recurrence of cholera outbreaks continues to pose a serious public health threat. Recognising that cholera is largely linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation, Government has strengthened its response through improved sanitation infrastructure, hygiene promotion, and better water management.

In addition, each commercial utility was allocated K5 million ahead of the 2024/2025 rainy season to implement preventive measures. I am pleased to note that these interventions have contributed significantly to keeping cholera at bay this year.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Despite substantial investments by Government and cooperating partners, financing for the sector remains inadequate. This challenge is further compounded by tariffs that have not been adjusted over the past five years, placing significant financial strain on utilities.

Cost-reflective tariffs are essential to ensure sustainable service delivery, infrastructure development, and expansion of services. Government is therefore engaging stakeholders to implement tariff adjustments that strike a balance between affordability and sustainability.

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me to acknowledge the invaluable support received from our cooperating partners in recent months. This support includes essential equipment such as bulk and domestic water meters, motorcycles, computers, laboratory equipment, and energy efficiency tools, provided through programmes such as GIZ – Nexus Energy and Water Programme for Zambia (NEWZA) and Zambia Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Transformation (ZEEST) project, with funding from the European Union and UNICEF.

As I conclude, I urge all utilities to ensure the effective and efficient utilisation of these resources.

It is now my honour and privilege to officially launch the Ministry’s Change Management and Gender Strategy and Implementation Plan, and the NWASCO sector Report.

I thank you for your attention, and may God bless you all.