A 1.6 million US dollars project to provide water supply and good sanitation at Mwami, Mchinji and Chanida border posts has been launched.
And government has described the project as a turning point for the people of Zambia and Malawi including the travelling public.
Speaking during the launch of the project at Mwami border Post, Acting Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Patrick Mwanawasa says the residents in these border posts have had no clean water for a long time.
Mr. Mwanawasa says it is saddening to note that the travelling public especially the truck drivers have had no water and sanitation facilities to use during their long waiting to obtain clearance to cross the borders.
He says the water and sanitation project which is being funded by the British government will benefit about 6,000 travelling public per year and 1,000 households.
Mr. Mwanawasa commended traditional leaders of Malawi and Zambia for allowing the construction of the project in the border posts.
Meanwhile Eastern Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Lyton Kanowa says the project will consolidate the already existing relations between Zambia and Malawi.
Mr. Kanowa says the contractor, African Brothers have assured that the project will be completed within the agreed period of 112 days.
And speaking at the same function, Central Region Water Board Principal Secretary Erica Maganga says the joint project is the first of its kind between Malawi and Zambia.
Mrs. Maganga says the project will bring regional development between the two countries adding that it is incumbent upon the beneficiaries to guard the facilities jealously.