Minister of Irrigation and Water Development Richie Muheya says government is keen to provide its people with potable water facilities as one of their basic rights and government’s drive to avert problems of waterborne diseases.

Muheya made the remarks on Thursday last week when he visited Nsanje Water Supply Project and Chikhwawa Eastbank Water Supply Scheme.

He said government was aware of the water problem in the district, hence his visit to the two districts to monitor some of the projects currently underway.

The Nsanje project alone is estimated to cost K87.3 million. He said government has already launched the same programme in Mulanje, Zomba and in Machinga.

He warned against substandard work by the contractors. He called upon officers in his ministry to cooperate with contractors to ensure the projects are completed to enable beneficiaries to start accessing clean water.

The project, which is being funded by the World Bank, is being constructed by Aquabor International Contractors of Kenya.

In a related development, Muheya urged famrers at Nyamphembere Irrigation Scheme in the area of Traditional Authority Mbenje in Nsanje and Nazolo Irrigation Scheme in the area of Traditional Authority Makhwira in Chikhwawa to work hand in hand with agriculture instructors in order to benefit from their produce.