By Margret Praise Kalua

Nkhata Bay, August 19, Mana: National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has called for collaborative efforts in regulating and managing water resources to ensure its sustainability for social economic growth.

Speaking Friday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in Nkhata Bay, NWRA Senior Civic Education Officer, Masozi Kasambala said the Authority is engaging councils in the country as one way of creating awareness regarding water resource management

He pointed out that the 2013 Water Resource Act gives NWRA mandate to manage and regulate water resources and forbid abstraction of water without its authorisation. 

“Construction or operation of all agriculture activities along the lake or rivers is prohibited. One must first seek authorisation and guidance from NWRA. We now give the responsibility to councils to prohibit abstraction of water when there is no consent from the Authority,” he said. 

Director of Planning and Development for Nkhata Bay, Edgar Chahana commended NWRA for conducting an engagement meeting with the council saying it enlightened them of the authority’s mandate and functions.

“Illegal activities such as construction, sand mining and farming along Lake Malawi and rivers are compromising water quality in the district. There is need to enhance the relationship between the council, stakeholders and NWRA to fight against the vice” he said.