The information was provided as part of a working day by the Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, at Cuanza Norte. This Tuesday, the governor was in the aforementioned province, where, accompanied by the provincial governor, João Diogo Gaspar, and the Secretary of State for Water, António Belsa da Costa, he visited infrastructures in the water subsector.
One of the infrastructures visited was the new water supply system from the Lucala river, the works of which are in their final phase, presenting a physical execution of around 90 percent, according to a statement from the Ministry of Energy and Águas, to which VerAngola had access.
This new system should be ready in October this year, benefiting more than 200 thousand people.
"João Baptista Borges went to the construction site for the new water supply system from the Lucala river. This strategic infrastructure is physically completed in the order of 90 percent and is expected to be completed next month October", the note reads.
According to the statement, this infrastructure is expected to "cover around 214 thousand inhabitants, having also created many jobs, mainly for local youth".
On the occasion, the holder of the Energy and Water portfolio considered that the project will contribute to the reduction of water-borne diseases and improve the quality of life of citizens, explaining that the infrastructure includes specific details to treat water, ensuring that water is delivered to the end consumer with quality and constantly throughout the day.
He considered that the supply of drinking water in Ndalatando is still insufficient, given that, according to data from the provincial government, the province has approximately 554,747 inhabitants and has a water supply coverage rate of only 16 percent, the situation of which, according to the minister, can be changed in the short and medium term with the various projects that are underway.
Furthermore, cited by Jornal de Angola, he also highlighted the importance of using water resources in the area more efficiently, in order to reduce water supply problems in the provincial headquarters and in certain municipalities in the province.
During his visit to Cuanza Norte, Baptista Borges also visited the water treatment plant in the municipality of Lucala, and was advised on its rehabilitation.
In addition, he also visited the General Hospital of Cuanza Norte, where the minister "made a point of learning about progress regarding water supply issues to the hospital unit, as well as energy and sanitation", points out the ministry's note.
His on-site visit ended with a visit to the transition reservoir (RT4).
More than 273 thousand people in Ndalatando with access to drinking water by 2030
Data provided by a team of experts from the ministry's Water sector reveal that, within the scope of the Drinking Water Supply Master Plan for Ndalatando, around 273,756 people should have access to drinking water by 2030.
Rita Azcácarraga, project consultant, cited by Jornal de Angola, made it known that preliminary studies to develop the master plan began in May and should be completed in December.
She said that the project will be implemented over a period of four years and will be financed by the World Bank, through a budget of seven million dollars.
The Lucala and Lussue projects are ongoing. According to Angop, the Lucala project is valued at 22.6 million dollars and will serve 182,000 people in Ndalatando, 21,500 people in Lucala and 10,500 people along the pipeline route to Ndalatando.
While Lussue's is valued at approximately three billion kwanzas and will benefit 28 thousand inhabitants of Ndalatando.
