Lusaka Province Deputy Permanent Secretary Alex Mapushi has called on people living around dams to take advantage of the water resource and produce more food .

Mr. Mapushi says people living near dams can produce crops all year round and be food secured.

 ZANIS reports that Mr. Mapushi said this after inspecting Mulalika Dam which is situated about 67 kilometres from the Chongwe central Business District.

He urged people living around the dams to take advantage of the water in the dams to   improve their standard of living by utilizing water prudently.

“   Dams  provide  water for  subsistence farmers,  farmers doing  vegetable gardens and other crops , and with that you will find that there will be no hunger from January to December.  

Mr Mapush who also inspected the Chongwe weir noted that harvested water could also be used for domestic chores as well as for livestock.

Mr Mapushi noted that Mulalika dam in  Chongwe district was   serving  over 6000 people.

 And Lusaka Province Water Development Officer ,David Musonda said 66 dams  were listed under the drought response initiative last year.

Mr. Musonda said 53 out of 66 dams  listed have been worked on in the province.

“We have a total of 150 dams in Lusaka Province, 66 were identified for rehabilitation under the drought relief and so far 53 have been worked on,” he said.

 Meanwhile, residents of Mulalika village commended the government for the initiative.

John Banda, Chairperson for Mulalika Dam committee, explained that residents   were deriving several benefits from Mulalika Dam  .

“ This water  is  helping us  in so  many ways, we use  this water   for   washing clothes  while others  use it for   drinking.

Chongwe Weir Committee Chairperson, Isaac Mulila appealed to the government to enhance security around Chongwe dam .

He noted that several lives have been lost by drowning in Chongwe dam.

“We have lost several people in this dam, especially school-going children who come to swim in this dam.