By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, June 24, Mana: Southern Region Water Board (SRWB) has urged communities under group village heads Onga and Kambalame in Chiradzulu District to take full responsibility of protecting water infrastructure in their respective areas for sustainable water supply.

SRWB in collaboration with Chiradzulu district council made the call during a stakeholders meeting held in Group Village Head Onga’s area following growing concerns over theft and vandalism of essential water equipment.

The board’s Security Executive, Ephrone Mphande expressed concern over the persistent theft and vandalism of vital installations, disclosing that the board had lost K120 million in replacing two stolen transformers in the area.

“People often say this is a business, but we are offering a service here. Our aim is to ensure that Malawians access clean and safe drinking water. We are here not to make profit,” he said.

Mphande, therefore, urged community leaders and their subjects to play an active role in safeguarding the infrastructure, saying SRWB’s mandate is to supply clean water and not to provide security.

Chiradzulu Police Station Officer, Senior Superintendent, Lloyd Chalemera said investigations have shown that most suspects involved in the thefts come from Blantyre.

“We have intensified security and we are encouraging community members to work closely with community policing structures to protect the equipment and identify the thieves,” he said.

Group Village Head Kambalame said it would help if a guardroom was constructed at the site to allow guards to operate in shifts, especially at night when the transformers are most vulnerable.

“In our previous meetings, we also agreed that the contractor should employ strong and capable guards. We want someone who has the capability to be on such duties,” he added.

A community member, Dinesi Michael welcomed the idea to intensify security to protect water equipment and other related infrastructure; expressing hope, that water supply will be sustainable with equipment protected by communities.

He, however, proposed that armed police officers be deployed to protect the facility, saying the previous guards were elderly, poorly paid and lacked motivation.

“The guards were not paid on time by the contractor and some feared for their lives because they didn’t have proper protection and equipment,” said Michael.

Chiradzulu District Council Water Supply Officer, McPherson Kuseli said the council has taken note of the communities’ recommendations and suggestions and will engage relevant stakeholders to explore the best ways of safeguarding the equipment.