CEJ quenches Serenje’s Kanona Clinic after years of water blues

By MUBITA KATETE 

THE Government, working with the Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ), has restored water supply to Kanona Clinic in Serenje District, ending a prolonged water crisis that had affected healthcare service delivery.

The intervention follows concerns raised by surrounding communities and a media statement issued in June 2026 by Citizens First (CF) Nkundalila Parliamentary Candidate, Bangwe Naviley Chisenga, who called for urgent action to address the situation.

CEJ Executive Director Maggie Mapalo Mwape said the organization stepped in to provide an immediate solution while government works on a permanent intervention.

“The Centre for Environment Justice responded to the water crisis at Kanona Clinic as an interim measure to ensure that health services continue uninterrupted while government implements a long-term solution,” Ms. Mwape said.

She commended the Government, through the Serenje Council Office and the District Health Department, for supporting the intervention and providing guidance throughout the process.

“We are grateful to the Government, through the Serenje Council Office and the District Health Department, for their guidance, cooperation and support in making this intervention possible,” she said.

Ms. Mwape also expressed appreciation to the local community and health workers at Kanona Clinic for their cooperation during the restoration exercise.

“We also thank the community and the health personnel at Kanona Clinic for welcoming this immediate intervention and working with us to restore access to safe water,” she said. HH LANDS IN SHANGOMBO TO A THUNDEROUS WELCOME By MUBITA KATETE

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema says the rehabilitation and upgrading of the dilapidated Sioma–Shangombo Road will be among his administration’s key priorities if he is re-elected in the 13th August 2026 General Elections.

Addressing hundreds of residents in Shangombo District, President Hichilema said upgrading the road to bituminous standard will improve road safety, reduce travel time and accidents, and enhance connectivity between Sioma and Shangombo.

“The Sioma–Shangombo Road is a key economic route, and once re-elected, we will prioritize its upgrade to bituminous standard so that our people can travel safely, reduce transport costs and open up more business opportunities,” President Hichilema said.

The head of State also pledged that his administration will complete the clearing of the canal in the district to improve water transport and related economic activities.

He explained that government was planing to construct a harbor and establish a barge crossing to strengthen trade links between Zambia and neighboring Angola.

“We are determined to complete the canal, build a harbor and introduce a barge crossing because Shangombo has the potential to become a major gateway for trade between Zambia and Angola,” he said.

President Hichilema has since urged the people of Shangombo to support him and the United Party for National Development (UPND) in the forthcoming elections, saying their vote will enable his government to deliver the development projects he has outlined.