Tag Archives: Northern Region Water Board (NRWB)

Development, Malawi

Abida Mia impressed with NRWB for freely connecting water users

MaraviPost

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Sidik Mia has commended Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for free impressive connections to 1,200 new consumers out of the targeted 15,000.

The beneficiaries are under the US$32.7m Karonga town water supply project.

Mia was speaking after touring the project in region.

The Minister assures, “Government is committed in providing clean and potable water to communities to prevent them from contracting waterborne diseases.

Board Chairperson for Northern Region Water Board, Paramount Chief Gomani 5 said that the upgrading of the water treatment plant has increased production capacity to 31,000m3 from 12,400m3 per day.

Gomani has since appealed to residents in the district to inculcate a spirit of ownership by jealously guarding against vandalism of the water infrastructure.

The Karonga town water supply project is being financed by the Malawi Government, BADEA and OPEC Fund targeting 184,000 beneficiaries by 2040.

Law and order

Lion Cage Security services locks out northern region water board over unpaid debt

Maravi Post Reporter

By Twink Jones Gadama

In a dramatic turn of events, Lion Cage Security Services, a security company based in Mzuzu, has locked out the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) over an unpaid debt of K98 million.

According to a senior official at Lion Cage Security Services, the company had been providing security services to the NRWB for several years, but the board had failed to pay for the services rendered.

“We have been patient with the NRWB for a long time, but they have consistently failed to pay us for our services,” said the official. “We have tried to engage them in discussions, but they have not been responsive. As a result, we have been left with no choice but to lock them out until they pay their debt.”

The lockout, which began early yesterday morning, has left the NRWB’s offices in Mzuzu inaccessible to staff and customers. The company’s security guards have been stationed at the entrance of the building, preventing anyone from entering or leaving the premises.

The NRWB has been struggling with financial difficulties in recent years, and the lockout by Lion Cage Security Services is just the latest in a series of challenges facing the board.

In a statement, the NRWB acknowledged the debt owed to Lion Cage Security Services and apologized for any inconvenience caused by the lockout.

“We are aware of the debt owed to Lion Cage Security Services and are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible,” said the statement. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the lockout and appreciate the patience and understanding of our customers and stakeholders.”

The lockout by Lion Cage Security Services has raised concerns about the financial management of the NRWB and the impact of the debt on the company’s operations.

“This is a clear indication of the financial mismanagement of the NRWB,” said a local resident. “How can a company that is responsible for providing water services to the people of Mzuzu fail to pay its debts? It’s unacceptable and something needs to be done about it.”

The lockout is expected to continue until the NRWB pays its debt to Lion Cage Security Services. In the meantime, customers of the NRWB are advised to seek alternative arrangements for accessing water services.

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the NRWB will resolve the issue and restore normal operations. One thing is certain, however: the lockout by Lion Cage Security Services has brought attention to the financial challenges facing the NRWB and the need for urgent action to address them.

Environment

“We lose Kaning’ina Forest, we are doomed” – NRWB

Maravi Post Reporter

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Authorities in Mzuzu have sounded a timely warning to residents that if Kaning’ina forest is destroyed through deforestation, then Mzuzu is doomed in as far water supply is concerned.

Speaking at Kaning’ina Forest in Chimaliro where Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) partnered with the Public Relations Society of Malawi (PRSM) to plant trees in the catchment area, NRWB Director of Operations Engineer Dr. Ausmane Ungwe said Kaning’ina forest is crucial to continued water supply in the city.

“Let’s take this message seriously and to everyone. If we dare to destroy Kaning’ina Forest, then we are doomed here in Mzuzu,” said Ungwe.

Through the partnership, PRSM and NRWB on Friday planted hundreds of trees in Kaning’ina forest in a bid to afforest the catchment area.

The exercise was attended by all relevant stakeholder groups in the city including MDF, Forestry Department, Mzuni, the media and Mzuzu City Council.

PRSM has taken aggressive efforts in the afforestation frive by partnering with stakeholders to plant trees across the country.

Last week, the PR professionals partnered with National Water Resources Authority to plant trees at Bua in Kasungu.

PRSM President Benson Linje said the PR body was ready and geared to partner various stakeholders and companies in various engagements, including training management teams in modern communication needs.

Development

Northern Region Water Board donates to Thyolo’s Cyclone Freddy survivors

Maravi Post Reporter
NRWB donates to Cylone survivors in Thyolo

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)- on Monday donated different items worth K5 million to families affected by cyclone Freddy in Thyolo district.

Some of the donations include; flour, rice, cooking oil, buckets, sanitary items and plastic papers.

The donations were presented to three camps, namely; Bvumbwe, Ligowe and Nansato.

Speaking after the donation, NRWB board chairperson, Frank Tumpale Mwenefumbo said the development was part of response to government’s call on the disaster.

While expressing his sadness to the situation the victims are in, Mwenifumbo call for more help from all stakeholders.

In her remarks, Thyolo District Commissioner (DC), Rosemary Nawasha while thanking NRWB for the decision said there is need for more help because many camps are yet to be reached.

According to the DC, over 4, 000 households have been affected while 16 people have been killed in the district due to cyclone Freddy.

The district have 40 evacuation camps according to Nawasha.

Health, Top News

NRWB to expand its coverage in Karonga

Maravi Post Reporter

By Lusekero Mhango

In a quest to widen access to safe and portable water The Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) are set to expand coverage of their water system in Karonga District.

The project dubbed Karonga Water Supply Project has been earmarked to commence work this August 2018 beginning from Pussi Kapolo in the north to Mlare in center following an approval from the National Assembly this budget seating in May.

The project will be funded to the tune of $26.7 Million by Arab Development Fund (Badea), Opec Fund for International Development and The Northern Region Water Board.

Speaking in an interview after briefing the Karonga full council Director of Finance at NRWB Francis Munthali, said the project will commence in august and will last till 2021.

“This is a very significant project for Karonga as it will widen the coverage of portable water through the breakdown of our water systems in the areas that the project has targeted hence we came here to enlight\ members of the full council,” he said.

He said with the good track record that RWB has in completing projects in time they are confident that the time scale given for the project is sufficient for the project amid huge demand for access to portable water.

“The demand to expand the water systems and the breaking down of these facilities is huge as we have noted by members of full council hence we are trying our level best to identify donors to fund other areas like Nyungwe and Chilumba,” explained Mynthali.

Reacting to upcoming project by NRWB Karonga District Council Chairperson Harry Mwanyembe, said the council welcomes such a significant project to the district that is set to greatly improve lives of people.

“The project is coming to the district at a right time considering the challenges that we have faced with cholera in our district which most cases emanated from use of unsafe water,” he said.

Business, Malawi

Unbelievable; Northern Region Water Board makes MK1.1 billion in six months

Special Absalom

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) says it has collected about MK1.1 billion in six months, making a net profit of MK278 million.

This is according to the NRWB report presented to the Parliamentary committee on Wednesday.

The report indicated that the MK278 million profits that the board has realised is MK224 million higher than what it planned to get in the first half of the 2017/2018 financial year.

‘’NRWB’s operating profit before depreciation for the period ending December 2017 at MK1.1 billion was significantly higher than the budgeted of MK916 million and last year’s performance of MK586 million. The board’s net profit of MK278 million was much higher than the planned profit of MK54 million,” reads part of the report.

NRWB chief executive officer, Titus Mtegha said there has been some good movements in the settlement of bills by public institutions.

However, he said public institutions and others still owe the board money.

In his remarks, the committee vice-chairperson Aboo McNice Naliwa assured the board that the committee will assist NRWB in lobbying for the payment of debts.

Health, Top News

Water taps dry in Mzuzu City

Special Absalom

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Mzuzu City residents have expressed fear that they could be hit by water borne diseases following dry taps since Tuesday as Northern Region Water Board failed to supply the precious commodity due to electricity blackout.

The water problem reached third day on Thursday following stormy rains that hit the city on Tuesday and damaged several houses and trees which fell on Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) power lines causing blackout.

A resident of Mchengautuwa, Eric Nyirongo said people in the area have now been forced to start drawing water from unprotected sources, a situation that is putting them at risk of contracting waterborne diseases like cholera.

Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) said normal water supply would resume soon following the resumption of electricity.

NRWB Public Relations Officer, Edward Nyirenda said that the problem was with power supply as the city had no electricity which made it difficult for the board to pump water.

“Since Tuesday, we did not have power supply in Mzuzu. But as of today, power has been restored and we have started pumping water,” he said.

He added that some areas had started receiving water except for hilly areas.

Nyirenda added that those areas which have no supply, the board would be supplying water using water bowser from Moyale Barracks.

“Yesterday we were supplying water using the bowser in crucial areas like hospitals and we will continue to do so till the water situation is normalized,” he said.

Cholera is spread in places with inadequate water treatment, poor sanitation and inadequate hygiene.
According to Ministry of Health, the country has so far registered 150 cases, four deaths three of which occurred in Karonga.

Other districts which have recorded cholera cases include Nkhata Bay, Lilongwe, Kasungu and Dowa.