By ROGERS KALERO
ABOUT 10 armed robbers yesterday attacked two security personnel at the Nkana Water Supply and Sanitation Company (NWSSC) Riverside Distribution Centre in Kitwe and got away with electric cables worth over K70, 000.
NWSSC Public Relations Officer Agnes Simwinga said the extensive damage caused by the armed robbers has adversely affected the water supply to Riverside, Kwacha, Bulangililo, Ipusukilo and Kamatipa Townships.Ms Simwinga said the armed robbers fired gun shots before beating up the two guards who were guarding the Distribution Centre. Ms Simwinga said thefts and vandalism were retrogressive and adversely affected quality service delivery by the water utility company.“Stealing or vandalising water installations is retrogressive because money meant to improve water supply and service delivery will be used to replace the stolen water installations. This is sad,’’ she said.NWSSC is already struggling to improve water supply in various parts of Kitwe, particularly in Ndeke Village, Ndeke Changa, Presidential area and other parts of Kamfinsa constituency. Kamfinsa Member of Parliament (MP) Christopher Kang’ombe has been spending sleepless nights over the persistent erratic water supply in various parts of the constituency which he said needed a long lasting solution.Mr Kang’ombe said thousands of residents of Ndeke Village, Amis, old and New Ndeke and Presidential areas have lived with persistent erratic water supply for many years.“I have decided to do a sample on various houses so that I get the clear and true picture of the water situation in Ndeke Village, Amis, Old and New Ndeke and Presidential. Whenever I complain to the Minister of Water Development about the problem of water in these areas, the Minister tells me that NWSSC have told him that the problem has been resolved.“But, what am getting on the ground is completely different. We have a situation where some houses only receive water for 30 minutes, while others receive water for a only one hour per day. So, am getting details so that I can go and give them to the Minister so that he knows the situation on the ground,’’ Mr Kang’ombe said.