COORDINATED ACTION NEEDED AS LIVINGSTONE FACES WATER STRESS – DILON

By Chali Mulenga

LIVINGSTONE – Aspiring Livingstone Central Constituency parliamentary candidate Dilon Mayangwa has praised President Hakainde Hichilema for his continued commitment to infrastructure development, saying the policy direction provides a strong foundation for local solutions to emerging urban challenges.

Mr Mayangwa said the New Dawn Government has demonstrated political will in addressing national development concerns, but stressed that effective local leadership is now required to translate that vision into tangible results on the ground.

“President Hichilema has set a clear development agenda anchored on economic growth and improved service delivery. What is required now is focused and coordinated leadership at constituency level to ensure these programmes deliver for the people,” he said.

He said leaders must act as managers and agents of development, ensuring that national policies are effectively implemented to address pressing challenges such as water stress in Livingstone.

Mr Mayangwa said coordinated action is urgently needed to address mounting water supply challenges in the tourist capital, where ageing infrastructure is failing to meet the demands of a growing population and expanding economic activity.

He said the city’s water system, designed several decades ago for a much smaller population, is now under severe pressure due to increased residential expansion, commercial growth and rising tourism-related demand.

“The water system was designed for a much smaller population, yet today we have a growing city. Residents are paying high bills, but supply is not consistent,” he said.

Mr Mayangwa said several residential areas are experiencing intermittent supply and low water pressure, a situation affecting households and small businesses.

He said the challenges highlight the urgent need for investment in water infrastructure, including rehabilitation of old pipelines, expansion of treatment capacity and upgrading of distribution networks.

“If we do not address this now, the gap between demand and supply will continue to widen,” he said.

Mr Mayangwa said reliable water supply is critical not only for residents but also for the tourism sector, which remains the backbone of Livingstone’s economy.

“Tourism depends on reliable basic services. Water is not just a household issue, it is an economic issue,” he said.

He called for stronger collaboration between local authorities, central government and utility providers, adding that effective coordination will be key to delivering sustainable, long-term solutions.

Mr Mayangwa said addressing water stress must be prioritised if Livingstone is to maintain its position as a leading tourism destination, noting that leadership at constituency level must rise to the task of managing development and delivering results.