Page 35 - WATER SECTOR MAGAZINE VOLUME 3

PROFILE
EAGLES RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME: JACQULINE DIAS: ENGINEER

ENHANCING COMMUNITY FOOD RESILIENCE EXTRAORDINAIRE

our water resources well? Are we
FROM PAGE 32 The other project that, I designed and heading in the right direction? What do
implemented is that of Liwonde Teachers we need to do to achieve the 2030 SDG
What is your memorable professional Training College. The consultant had to Goal Number Six as Malawi?
experience both when you had the most engage SRWB to construct a water supply
challenging event and the most esteem? system after several firms failed. I was the According to Dublin Principle No.1, fresh
project manager. We used SRWB’s staff to water is a finite and vulnerable resource,
I remember soon after joining SRWB, I was construct a 250m3 tank on the mountain, essential to sustain life, development and
attached to Zomba Water Supply Project where pumping main, booster station and pipe environment. This precious resource is
Mulunguzi Dam, the water treatment plant, 13 mains for the campus. As I pass by, I feel to be taken care of for future generations.
service reservoirs both concrete and steel and proud every time I see the structures at As a country we are not doing much in
also distribution pipe network were under Liwonde TTC. managing water sources. The catchment
construction. I was attached to consultants areas which are sources of many rivers are
Lahmeyer International and Stewart Scott People take engineering as a challenging degraded resulting into high evaporation
Joint Venture. One of my tasks was inspecting task for ladies how do you manage? rates and siltation. This coupled with
the works before the Resident Engineer. I was What advise can you offer to young climate change; we are heading towards
the only female in the construction areas. I felt ladies? a disaster. Let’s take for an example what
timid at times but my God helped me through. happened in Lilongwe last year. They had
I gained tremendous experience. God created man and woman equal in His to ration water. We need to work together
eyes. We have the same potential. What is as a country to manage these water
The project was commissioned in 2000. needed is self-confidence, dedication and sources. It is not a responsibility of one
Soon after, I was given a project to manage hard work. When we were in school from utility. Let’s involve everybody in this fight
rehabilitation of Mulunguzi Dam catchment primary through to University, we were against destructing of our environment.
area where as the Board had to plant trees writing same examinations with boys and
and rehabilitate the forest roads. There were we were passing; there is no difference Several presentations on rainfall patterns,
two contractors, one for the catchment, the with working. Put yourself into what you indicates that there is not much variation
other was for the roads. I had to supervise are doing and success will be yours. in terms of quantity of rainfall. The
the project on day to day activities, take difference is mainly in spatial distribution.
measurements and certify payments just to Where would you want to see yourself in As a country there is need to take rain
mention a few. It was challenging as I didn’t the next five years professionally and in water harvesting seriously. Development
know where to start from. With the guidance leadership? should be towards multi-purpose dams
of my bosses Engineer Mbesa and Engineer which will capture adequate quantities for
Chizalema, I managed the project to the end. At the Women in Water Workshop which use in dry season.
Thanks to these bosses of mine who provided was held in June, I was asked to present
a platform for me to unleash the potential in on taking water as a profession. It was
me. This is the reason in 2012, I was the project revealed that in all the five Water Boards
coordinator for National Water Development in Malawi, there is only one woman in the
Project (NWDP II) which became effective in Corporate Management Team (CMT) and
2007 through to 2015 managing projects under is in administration. I want to become the
SRWB. A number of schemes were upgraded, first technical female in the CMT either as
rehabilitated and extended. These projects have a Director or the CEO. WHY NOT.
improved the water supply systems, increased
number of customers as well as revenue. What do you enjoy doing apart from
Engineering and your everyday work?
As an Engineer which project among those
that you have personally worked on, you feel I am a God fearing woman. When I am
very proud to be part of? free, I enjoy attending church services or
studying the Word of God which is food
In the middle of implementing NWDP for my soul. I get the energy I need for
II, additional resources were provided. As my daily success. The Spirit of God gives
the Board we put forward a proposal to me guidance when I am at crossroads. I
rehabilitate, upgrade and extend Balaka Water also enjoy being a mother and a wife too.
Supply Project. The requirement was that This is why I dedicate my Sundays as a
the project should already be designed as the family day. I make sure that after church, I
resources were only for construction. The prepare a good breakfast and bake for my
proposal to upgrade Balaka was approved by family which everyone looks forward to.
World Bank but we had no designs in place. I
had to organize a team of Engineers including Any favorite dishes?
myself. We worked tirelessly with sleepless
nights. Within three months, the designs If I come to visit you, prepare roasted pork
together with bidding documents were ready, with nsima and pumpkin leaves seasoned
and were approved by the World Bank. The with groundnuts powder, I will be home
project was completed within the project time and dry.
frame. Ntchito za manja athu zikutichitira
umboni ku Balaka. It is one of the best scheme Your general summary for water Engineer Dias
with quality equipment. situation in Malawi, are we managing

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