The German government has reaffirmed its long-term partnership with Zambia in water security, sanitation, and hygiene, backing construction of a major wastewater project in Lusaka, valued at approximately 33 million Euros.

Speaking after touring the Trunk Sewer Main and Energy Autonomous Wastewater Treatment Plants under construction in Ngwerere and Chunga, German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development State Secretary Niels Annen said the project symbolizes decades of cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Annen said the project is expected to benefit over 500,000 residents through improved sanitation and public health in densely populated parts of Lusaka.

“We’re seeing some of the construction work behind us which is an embodiment of the long-lasting partnership between Germany and Zambia, “Mr Annen said.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Water development and Sanitation Permanent Secretary Romas Kamanga, said the project is in line with government’s vision 2030, a sustainable development goal number six which requires sanitation for all by 2023

“Government alone cannot manage to do this project, that is why we need these partners with us, so the grant from KfW is very much welcome and it took the government to negotiate for these grants and also to take certain steps so that we can qualify for this grant,” Mr Kamanga said.

Meanwhile, Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company Managing Director Jilly Chiyombwe said the Chunga Wastewater Treatment Plant is being built to replace an existing facility that can no longer handle industrial discharge.