By Solister Mogha:
Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia has challenged Water Boards in the country to move with technology and start digitalizing their services.
She made the appeal Monday in Zomba during the official launch of Southern Region Water Board Mobile Application the first of this kind.
Mia said with the current speed and usage of technology, it was important for Water Boards to develop systems that would bond them with their customers and improve on access and delivery of water services.
She said Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become an integral component in as far as provision and delivery of services in various sectors is concerned.
The Minister applauded Southern Region Water Board for developing the mobile app which would enable customers pay their water bills, check their balances and report faults.
“It’s about time that we developed systems that are convenient to our people. The mobile application by SRWB would help customers easily access its services,” Mia added.
The Minister asked the Board to develop systems that would detect water loss through leakages.
“Be assured of government’s support in as far as developing the water sector is concerned,” she said.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for SRWB, Duncan Chambamba said the Board decided to develop the mobile App system to respond to their customer’s needs.
He said through a survey conducted by the Board on service delivery, customers complained of SRWB’s slow responsiveness to issues and customer needs.
“Results of the survey prompted us to find immediate solution to some of the issues our customers were complaining about. We are sure that the system will provide timely feedback as customers will be able to check their bills, financial statements and make payments,” said Chambamba explained.
He said the system which would have to be downloaded by android phone users would only be used by postpaid customers and that those who have multiple accounts would be required to register all using the app.
Resident of Sadzi Township, Isaac Phiri hailed the Board for launching the App which would reduce congestions at the paying points.
“As customers we expect to save our time and resources as we will no longer have to travel and stand on long queue to access water service. By a click of a button, we will be able to search for all information we need,” he said.
SRWB becomes the first water board in the country to develop and launch the water system in its quest to improve service delivery.
SRWB has appealed to customers to download and install this new mobile application.
