Five drinking water supply systems in Niassa, Mozambique, are set for construction as per grant agreement, that the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed for 400 million Mozambican meticais ($6.3 million).
Particularly, the future facilities will be put in the areas of Mandimba, Mavago, Majune, and Muembe. These areas are currently suffering from a shortage of drinking water. The water supply project, whose development is expected to begin in April 2023, will benefit almost 61,000 people.
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Scope of work and expectations for the 5 water supply systems in Niassa
As part of the project, pipes will be installed to pump fresh water from the groundwater table, transfer it to reservoirs for storage, and then distribute it to the people through standpipes.
The Niassa water sources, which are currently not in use, will also be rehabilitated thanks to JICA funds. Shoichi Yokogi, project manager for JICA, says that they will guarantee the delivery of all essential equipment. This will in turn ensure the operation of the boreholes that are currently out of service in the Mozambique province.
Niassa’s access to clean water will be improved. Also, the commissioning of the new water supply systems will improve sanitation services in this region of Mozambique, where cholera cases are on the rise. Between September 2022 and March 5, 2023, 7,237 cholera cases and also 38 cholera related fatalities were reported in Mozambique. Those cases were mainly reported in Niassa, according to the country’s Ministry of Health.
The bulk of the official development assistance offered by the government of Japan is provided via the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Their mandate includes fostering international cooperation and also helping with the social and economic growth of developing nations.
