CSCEC has been awarded a contract for a water and sanitation improvement project worth US$27 million in Zambia. The Chinese company has hired seven local companies as subcontractors for the project, which will improve water and sanitation services in the northern provinces of Kasama and Mbala.

According to Royd Chakaba, the Permanent Secretary of the Northern Province, the subcontract of the Zambia water and sanitation improvement project is the implementation of the 20% subcontracting policy. It is expected that foreign companies will provide local companies with services to the company.

As part of the capacity building plan, the Zambian government hopes that Chinese contractors will transfer their skills to local contractors. He said at the contract signing ceremony: "The performance of local contractors in construction projects will show that they are ready to undertake large-scale projects, so this opportunity should be taken seriously." Chen Xiaobo, acting general manager of China State Construction Engineering Corporation promised, China State Construction Engineering Corporation The engineering company will share experience with local contractors.

Water and Sanitation in Zambia

Poor drinking water, environmental sanitation and personal hygiene (hygiene campaigns) are the main causes of infections such as cholera and diarrhea. Inadequate sanitation campaigns are still the main causes of death for children under five in sub-Saharan Africa. Girls and women are particularly affected by poor washing conditions. The drudgery of carrying water resulted in loss of productivity and leisure time, and the lack of toilets also had a negative impact on their dignity.

Zambia has a high rate of stunting in children (35%), partly due to poor sanitation. Studies have shown that proper hygiene can reduce the risk of stunting. In Zambia’s schools, the lack of adequate water supply, sanitation and hand washing facilities adversely affects students and leads to high dropout rates, especially among girls. With separate toilets for boys and girls and privacy for menstrual hygiene management, girls are more likely to stay in school, delay pregnancy and marriage, and have stronger employment opportunities. Editor/Huang Lijun