Southern Africa Development community (Sadc) ministers responsible for energy and water sectors have agreed on ways of improving energy and water services in the region.
The ministers held discussions at mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre on Thursday where they deliberated on programmes of regional dimensions in support of the implementation of the Sadc Regional Indicative strategic Development Plan 2020-30.particularly infrastructure development programmes.
Sadc committee of the ministers chairperson Nancy Tembo, who is the Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources, said the meeting buttressed the need for collaboration highlighting that by working together, Sadc is poised to achieve more.
She said: “This is a crucial meeting which has tackled regional plans for improving water and energy sectors, giving directives to the secretariat on how to proceed and noting activities that have taken place and committing to doing more in the Sadc region to mobilize resources to enable the region implement the projects.”
Tembo said Sadc members states are willing to overcome adversaries and put in place measures to support infrastructure development and ensure that the region records progress.
Sadc Regional Integration deputy executive secretary Thembinkosi Mhlongo emphasized the need to accelerate preparations and the development of power generation projects.
He said member states should utilize a mix of energy sources to address the increasing demand and support electrification projects through grid extension and off- grid solutions to ensure universal energy access.
In the water sector, he observed that the major challenge is on access to cleaner drinking water and sanitation facilities, stating that the Sadc Water Programme is designed to ensure that the region increases access levels to at least 75 percent by 2027 for both drinking and sanitation.
Source: National_Orama Chiphwanya_Staff Reporter_6/12/2021