Thazima Water Scheme for Malawi Parks Faces Delays
National Parks and Wildlife Director Brighton Kumchedwa said the delayed but "game changer" project will ensure people don't enter reserves seeking water, helping conserve ecosystems.
RUMPHI, Malawi— Communities around Nyika and Vwaza protected areas will have to wait longer to access clean water due to an extension in completing the K8 billion Thazima water scheme implemented by Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) with funding from Germany's KFW, writes James Nyirenda.
On a Thursday inspection of progress, PPF Chief Executive Officer Werner Myburgh revealed delays caused by the project's size and complexity, but expressed optimism it may be commissioned in three months.
"The water scheme is a little bit behind schedule but if you consider the size and the scale and complexity of the project you can anticipate some setbacks and challenges," Myburgh said.
"But overall we're really hopeful that we will see the full commissioning in the next three months."
Delays were also attributed to challenges shipping materials from suppliers in India to Malawi. Despite this, Myburgh said there has been no talk by the contractor of increasing costs.
The project's significance is "enormous" for communities around the protected areas, he said, noting the "direct link" between the areas and surrounding residents.
An 80-kilometer (50-mile) solar-powered electric perimeter fence was installed following complaints of stray elephants destroying crops.
"The perimeter fence was asked for by the communities and the reason was an incredible high level of conflict particularly from elephants and hippos that was serious as people can get hurt, injured and they can lose their livelihoods if elephants come out into gardens during the night and destroy all their crops," Myburgh said.
National Parks and Wildlife Director Brighton Kumchedwa said the delayed but "game changer" project will ensure people don't enter reserves seeking water, helping conserve ecosystems.
The fence has reduced human-wildlife conflicts by 82%, he said.
Previously the Thazima gravity piped water supply scheme, the Nyika/Vwaza project launched in 2023 aims to enhance environmental conservation around the protected areas by providing clean water to 18,000 residents.
Its initial June 2024 completion has been pushed to September.