The Sunday News
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
THE Government has put in place a number of measures in a bid to put an end to water woes that are affecting most local authorities in the country, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo has said.
Speaking during a meeting with Kwekwe City Council management last week, Minister Moyo said solving the prevailing water crisis was among one of President Mnangagwa’s top priorities.
“The water problems started with Harare and Gweru but we have since generalised the water crisis. We are fixing Harare now but we have an eye on all other local authorities across the country,” said Minister Moyo.
He said the President was committed to ending the water and sewer problems across the country.
“President Mnangagwa is saying let’s put an end to medieval diseases like cholera and typhoid. But for us to achieve this, we have to solve water and sewer crisis that has bedevilled our local authorities. But as councils let’s dedicate ourselves, let us work together with other arms of Government to ensure that we achieve the President’s wish,” he said.
Minister Moyo said the Government was in the process of crafting an Infrastructure Development Bond which will be accessed by local authorities to revamp their water and sewer infrastructure.
“We are still pushing for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to speed up the Infrastructure Development Bond which will also be used to revamp infrastructure across cities and towns,” he said.
He lambasted corrupt council officials who were bent on fleecing Government through unwarranted demand for foreign currency to export water chemicals yet they were being manufactured locally.
“Government has made a decision that no local authority should import water treatment chemicals. We have Chemplex a local company that was created for two purposes. First for the production of fertilizers for use in the farming sector and secondly for the production of aluminum sulphate solid. The company has the capacity and is producing 7 000 tonnes yet all the local authorities across the country require about 5 000 tonnes. The company has the capacity to produce enough chemicals but we should make sure that our local authorities pay so that the company continues producing,” he said.
Chemplex, Minister Moyo said the decision was taken to cut the export bill.
“So, Government’s decision right now is that all local authorities should use locally available resources. No local authority should be seen begging for foreign currency to buy water chemicals yet they are available locally,” he said.
Water problems have been bedevilling most local authorities across the country with Gweru, Bulawayo and Harare being the most affected.
Kwekwe Mayor Councillor Angeline Kasipo, however, said the town was still far from declaring a water crisis though it was facing minor challenges in purchasing water treatment chemicals.
“Hon Minister we want to thank you for your assistance towards addressing water and sanitation issues. Just last week we received $5,8million which we are going to use to buy pumps for our Phase 3 water station which will enable us to supply the whole of Kwekwe and Redcliff with water,” Clr Kasipo.
