Luanda: The Quilonga Grande project, set to be completed in November this year in the municipality of Bom Jesus, Icolo e Bengo Province, aims to deliver approximately 518 million litres of potable water per day, as reported by the Ministry of Energy and Water (MINEA). This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the water distribution system for around 5 million residents in the Luanda and Icolo e Bengo provinces.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the Quilonga Grande project, which was recently inspected by President Joo Louren§o, is designed to supply water to the municipalities of Viana, Mulenvos, and Cacuaco in Luanda Province. In Icolo e Bengo, the municipalities of Calumbo, Cabiri, Sequele, Bom Jesus, and Catete will be the primary beneficiaries. The ministry emphasized that Quilonga Grande represents a transformative milestone for local communities, underscoring the Angolan Government's commitment to ensuring access to potable water and improving public health and quality of life.
The project, now over 90% complete, began in January 2023 with a budget of USD 417 million. Quilonga Grande features a comprehensive suite of infrastructure, including a water intake centre, a treatment plant, and a distribution network, making it the largest water production, storage, and distribution system ever built in Angola. The project addresses key challenges posed by population growth and urban expansion in the region.
Implemented in collaboration with the World Bank, the Quilonga Grande initiative aims to provide sustainable access to potable water for millions of citizens. It is expected to contribute to enhanced quality of life, public health, economic development, and social inclusion. The system sources water from the Kwanza River and uses an integrated network of infrastructure to ensure reliable delivery to urban and peri-urban centres.
The impact of Quilonga Grande is particularly notable in the municipality of Bom Jesus, where it is expected to eliminate a 30% deficit in potable water supply. Municipal administrator Joo de Almeida highlighted the neighbourhoods of Mazozo, Licumbe, Cana-Ca§assa, and Ngolome as key areas that will benefit from the project. According to the 2024 Census, Bom Jesus has an estimated population of 35,372 inhabitants.
