By Patience Longwe
Government has resumed funding for the long-delayed Salima-Lilongwe Water Project and is now working towards completing it by June 2027, a move expected to improve water supply to Lilongwe and communities along the project corridor.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi announced the development in Parliament on Thursday while responding to concerns raised by Member of Parliament for Salima Central West Enock Phale over delays in implementing the project.
Mbilizi attributed the delays to funding constraints that affected progress on the project in previous years.
She said the current administration has resumed financing the project, allowing construction works to continue.
“But when we came into power, President Mutharika personally assured the contractors and the project team that it is in his interest to make sure that this project is completed by June 2027,” Mbilizi said.
She said the project is expected to improve water supply in Lilongwe while also benefiting Dowa, Salima and other communities along the pipeline route.
“We have reservoirs, about two, if not three reservoirs on the way, and that is where water will be supplied,” she explained.
Mbilizi said the project has been designed as an integrated water supply system that will also support irrigation, creating opportunities to boost agricultural production in areas along the corridor.
She disclosed that about US$200 million is still required to complete the project, adding that government is actively mobilising the remaining resources.
“We are very sure that we will find that money because the President is very committed to making sure that this project is completed,” she said.
Mbilizi expressed optimism that residents would begin to experience improvements in water supply before the project’s targeted completion date.
Earlier, Phale told Parliament that continued delays in completing the project were prolonging water supply challenges facing residents of Salima, Dowa and Lilongwe, with the situation affecting households, businesses and the delivery of essential public services.
He observed that the project, being implemented by Khato Civils, has missed several completion deadlines despite expectations that the first phase would already have been completed and communities along the route connected to the water supply system.
