Blantyre Water Board (BWB) through the Ministry of Finance on 27th April 2023 signed a US$145 million grant from the World Bank for the Malawi Water and Sanitation Project, of which the project aims at operational improvements at Blantyre Water Board and Blantyre City Council.
The signing ceremony took place at Ryalls Hotel in Blantyre where high level dignitaries from the World Bank, the Hon. Minister of Finance, the Hon. Minister of Water and Sanitation and other development partners witnessed the signing.
Speaking during the ceremony, World Bank's Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde said that the grant has been given to improve water and sanitation services to the people of Blantyre as one way of contributing to sustainable development goals in Malawi. "Our interest is poverty reduction, an access to basic water supply and sanitation is a very important measure in reducing poverty". Said Anna.
This was the MD’s first official international visit since her appointment at the World Bank
In her remarks, the Hon. Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Sidik Mia M.P. expressed appreciation with the partnership that Malawi Government continues to enjoy with the World Bank and encouraged the opportunity for more partnerships to secure the future of the Malawi Water Sector and to further enhance investments in the sector to improve the livelihood of Malawians.
In his remarks, Hon. Minister of finance Sosten Gwengwe M.P. commended the World Bank for the generous gesture and assured that the funds will be put to its intended use saying BWB has a vibrant project plan to implement the project.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the visiting officials from World Bank went to visit Mudi Dam and in particular the catchment area which was of interest because of Blantyre Water Board’s efforts in the past 8 years to reclaim what was encroached farmland. The encroachers had compromised the quality of Mudi dam. BWB in partnership with the local communities in Ndirande and Makheta has managed to re afforest the catchment area and Mudi Dam is now thriving again.
They also went to see the Chilobwe disaster area to appreciate the impact of Cyclone Freddy on the community there.
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