Politics
WASH Forum urges stronger water, sanitation commitments in Zambia’s 2026 national address
The Zambia NGO WASH Forum has called for stronger commitments to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in President Hakainde Hichilema’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, saying the sector should be central to Zambia’s development agenda as the country transitions to the Ninth National Development…
Picture: Zambia Monitor
The Zambia NGO WASH Forum has called for stronger commitments to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in President Hakainde Hichilema’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, saying the sector should be central to Zambia’s development agenda as the country transitions to the Ninth National Development Plan.
Hichilema is expected to address Parliament on Friday, Oct. 9, outlining government priorities and progress on national development.
Forum Coordinator, Bubala Mumba, said the address would provide an opportunity to set the direction for WASH over the next five years and build on progress made under the Eighth National Development Plan while addressing remaining gaps.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday, Mumba said the Forum expects the address to highlight reliable water supply, safely managed sanitation, hygiene, public health and climate resilience.
She said government commitments should go beyond expanding infrastructure to ensuring that water systems remain functional, water quality is protected and services are reliable.
Lakatips
Advertise on Lakatips
Reach readers following the national conversation
Display, sponsored placements and briefing slots — across politics, business and sport.
“We would like to hear a clear commitment to move beyond simply expanding infrastructure to making sure that water systems remain functional, water quality is protected and services are reliable. The effects of droughts, floods and pressure on water resources mean that climate resilience must now be built into the way Zambia plans and invests in WASH,” Mumba said.
She said the Forum’s submission to the Ninth National Development Plan proposes an overall development outcome of improved access to sustainable and climate-resilient WASH services.
Mumba said investment should cover climate-resilient infrastructure, water quality monitoring, sustainable operations and maintenance, and protection of water sources.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Source: Zambia Monitor — Read more
More to read
All Politics →
Hichilema rallies Africa to go digital or be left behind
PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has called on African nations to urgently accelerate their digital transformation efforts, warning that failure to embrace digitalisation could leave the continent
Next Health Minister Must Be a ‘Mother or Father’ to the Sector —Dr Chibwe
As President Hakainde Hichilema prepares to appoint
Musokotwane, Haimbe return as ministers, as Hichilema warns new cabinet to perform or get sacked
President Hakainde Hichilema has warned newly appointed and returning ministers that failure to deliver on their mandates will not be tolerated, saying ministers who break ranks after Cabinet decisions will have to leave Government. Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane has been reappointed as Minister of Finance and…