Katima Mulilo
The community of Choi, some 115 kilometres west of Katima Mulilo, are suffering a water crisis that increasingly compels the beleaguered community to contemplate staging a peaceful protest as a desperate measure to bring some solution to their plight.
A source within the community of Choi, who preferred not to be named, said the water crisis in the Choi area has existed since independence and even before the settlement came under the ambit of Kongola Constituency.
Before the fourth delimitation commission the settlement fell under Linyanti Constituency.
“The residents of Choi will stage a peaceful demonstration following the water crisis that has affected us since independence. The community has only one water point, which is used by many villages as well as learners from the Mayuni Senior Secondary School,” said the source.
The situation is said to have been aggravated by the cancellation of a contract by government that would have seen the rehabilitation of eleven water points in the Zambezi Region, including that of Choi, and would have resulted in more water supply to rural communities.
The reason furnished for the cancellation by the contractor was that the offer to rehabilitate the 11 water infrastructure points was underquoted, according to official communication from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry seen by this reporter.
The source further complained of a myriad of other developmental projects that he felt had bypassed the community of Choi.
“Rural electrification came and reached other communities. The Kongola pipeline has not reached us. Our learners do not have water which is suitable for human consumption thus creating a health hazard,” bemoaned the source.
Approached for comment, Kongola Constituency Councillor David Muluti admitted a water crisis indeed has gripped the area for too long but denied any knowledge of any imminent demonstration, cautioning that community members should always consult before they engage in such actions.
“Yes there is a water shortage but I am not aware of any demonstration. If community members have concerns they should always consult their councillor,” urged Muluti.
According to Muluti, plans to rehabilitate the only water point available in the area would soon be revisited after a cancellation due to under-pricing.
“The borehole in the area was supposed to be rehabilitated but there was an underquote that resulted in the cancellation of the contract. We are hoping that by next week the contract would be signed and then rehabilitation of the borehole would start. Even the Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry is aware of the problem,” stressed Muluti.
He further noted that the Kongola pipeline was a gradual process and would reach Choi in its third phase.
“Government projects take a bit of time, people should be patient. The pipeline currently has not yet reached Choi and will only reach there in phase three and even continue further,” promised Muluti.