It gives me great pleasure to be here this morning to join you and the whole world as we celebrate the 24th World Water Day. This is an important event indeed as the importance of water cannot be overemphasized in our everyday life.
The theme for this year “Water and Sustainable Development- From Vision to Action” is very befitting as it is reminding us that time is not on our side. We need to conserve water at all cost if we are to achieve meaningful development in the world.
I am deeply concerned by the state of water in our country. A third of our country is covered with Water. Yet we still have many of our people not accessing potable water. Either our water sources are dry or they have been polluted that they are not fit for human consumption. When you drive past our rivers, lakes and major dams in the country, you will notice the dangers that are coming ahead of us in term of water availability if we do not take necessary actions to conserve water now.
That is why this year’s theme is a reminder to each one of us to do something about the water conservation. We need collective responsibility if we are to continue enjoying the benefits of our natural resources like water. It saddens me to see the rate at which we are cutting down trees in this country without replacing them; it saddens me to see us encroaching water catchments areas; and it saddens me to see us dumping rubbish and waste in our river. All these have a very negative effect on the availability of water today and in future.
I therefore call upon all leaders, in communities and government that we should all hold hands to ensure that we protect the places where our water is coming from. It starts with each one of us. It is the little steps that we will take as individuals that will have great impact in as far as conserving water and other natural resources is concerned.
My government through the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water development is making sure that provision of potable water is given first priority. Through the assistance from the World Bank and other development partners, government is implementing several projects in the water sector and I am pleased to note most of these programs are at an advanced stage.
Just this morning before I came here I passed through Lunyangwa Dam where I was also briefed about some of the water challenges that may be faced in Mzuzu City if we do not quickly find alternative sources to supplement supply of Water in the fast growing City of Mzuzu.
I wish to request the Northern Region Water Board through the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development to come up with investment programs that will result in a suitable Water source for our people in Mzuzu.
I was following with kin interest developments that preceded this day and noted that three conferences were lined up all concentrating on water, sanitation and hygiene.
A lot of professional stakeholders were drawn together to deliberate on issues to do with Water in the context of Sustainable Development. May i take this opportunity to request you all to put whatever you discussed into action. I will be following up, through the Minister of Agriculture, your action plans from the conferences.
Let us desist from being a nation with beautiful plans but no implementation. It is time we started seeing the fruits of our beautiful plans. Let us be a shining example in the region as far as conservation of our natural resources is concerned.
Our progress on the international scene will be measured through the achievement internationally set goals which we subscribe to.
Let us in the post 2015 agenda come up with realistic targets which will ensure that each person has access to potable water.
Let me request the Minister of Agriculture and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the right policies and programs on the ground are being implemented so that we reverse the loss of our natural resources. And we need to hit the ground running on these programmes, i repeat time is not on our side.
Before i conclude, let me emphasise once again that water and sanitation are key to the success and development of this country.
Provision of potable water and good sanitation will directly result in poverty reduction as healthy people contribute to the development of the country. Water can also be a threat to life if sanitation is compromised and the environment is not well taken care of. My government will continue to work towards the availability of water for consumption as other uses countrywide.
Let me appeal to you all Malawians to take care of water infrastructure in our communities. The police will be on alert to deal with all people who vandalise the infrastructure being put in place especially in the cities.
Lastly, Ladies and Gentlemen, may I take this opportunity to thank you for joining me in observing the World Water Day 2015.
It is my hope that each one of us will take it upon himself to be an ambassador in proper management of water. Let me also thank all partners working in Water, Sanitation and hygiene for complementing governments efforts is bring services to our people. I thank you for your attention.
May God Bless Your All and mother Malawi!!!
