Kaoma Central MP ponders on procurement of water-drilling rig

Kaoma Central Constituency Member of Parliament in Western Province, Morgan Sitwala, says the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee will be engaged to prioritize the procurement of a water-drilling rig to address the water challenges in rural communities. Speaking in an…

Kaoma Central Constituency Member of Parliament in Western Province, Morgan Sitwala, says the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Committee will be engaged to prioritize the procurement of a water-drilling rig to address the water challenges in rural communities.

Speaking in an interview in Kaoma, Brig. Gen.Sitwala (Retired), says access to clean and safe water emerged as one of the most pressing concerns during his campaigns in the just-ended 2026 general elections.

“One of the prominent issues that came out during my campaign was the water crisis that continues to affect our people, especially in the outskirts of the district,” he said.

The parliamentarian said he would engage the CDF Committee to prioritize the acquisition of the rig as a long-term measure to mitigate the persistent water challenges in the district.

He stated that most households cannot afford the cost of sinking boreholes because private drilling companies charge exorbitant fees.

 Brig. Gen. Sitwala explained that owning a drilling rig would significantly reduce the cost of drilling boreholes by eliminating the need to hire private contractors.

“Most of our people cannot manage the cost of drilling boreholes as private companies are charging exorbitant amounts which most community members cannot afford,” he said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Sitwala reaffirmed his commitment to sustained community engagements, stating that such platforms are vital for identifying and prioritising development projects.

“It is from such meetings that a number of issues affecting the community and that need attention emanate from. Community engagement provides a platform for stakeholders to identify, discuss and prioritise developmental projects that respond to their needs,” he said.

A resident, Musole Nawa, commended the MP for the initiative, saying it would ease the burden on communities.

“We commend our Member of Parliament for this development. Once actualized, it will lessen the burden of community members having to travel long distances to access water,” she said.

Residents in Kaoma have for a long time complained of erratic water supply, forcing many to walk long distances to access water from shallow wells.