Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Zimbabwean Government recently cornered embattled Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) to be compliant with their audited accounts as outlined in the service delivery blueprint launched by President Emerson Mnangagwa in order for it to guarantor a loan facility worth US$800k earmarked to fully service Makondo suburb.
This came out in parliament recently when Chiredzi Central Member of Parliament asked the Minister of local Government Daniel Garwe governemnt’s plans to address the sewer and water reticulation challenges in Makondo Suburb in Chiredzi Town Council
In his response, Minister Garwe said government was committed to improving infrastructure and service delivery in all local authorities including Chiredzi Town but ordered the local authority to be compliant to its audited accounts in order for the government to guarantor the US$800k loan facility needed towards improving Makondo sewer and water reticulation.
“Mr Speaker sir, the government through the second republic is committed to improving infrastructure and service delivery in all local authorities, including Chiredzi Town Council.
“To fully service the Makondo suburb which consists of 3500 properties with functional water and sewer reticulation system, Chiredzi Town Council has been advised to apply for borrowing powers from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
“The government will act as guarantor to enable the council to acquire a loan facility of US$800 000.00 from a local financier.
“However, it is important to note that Chiredzi Town Council must be compliant with their audited accounts as outlined in the service delivery blueprint launched by His Excellence, the President E.D Mnangagwa.
“Once Chiredzi Town Council is compliant, the Ministry will support the loan facility to complete the water and sewer infrastructure development in Makondo suburban,” said Minister Garwe.
Chiredzi town council has currently engaged Brian Colquhuon, Hugh O’Donnel Consulting Engineer (BCHOD) to design the Chiredzi Water treatment plant as its Hippo Valley water treatment plant is failing to fully service the exponentially growing population.
Garwe also highlighted that his Ministry recently urged Chiredzi Town Council to construct a new water treatment plant along Chiredzi River to augment its Hippo Valley water works.
“Currently, Chiredzi Town Council is utilizing its own resources to service the water reticulation of 400 infill stands known as lowlands, created within Makondo suburb.
“It is worth mentioning that Chiredzi Town Council has already engaged Brian Colquhuon, Hugh O’Donnel Consulting Engineer (BCHOD) to design the Chiredzi Water Treatment plant.
“Their medium term plan is to augment the current capacity from 10 megaliters to 15 megaliters per day. Additionally, the Ministry has encouraged Chiredzi Town Council to have a long term plan to construct a completely new treatment plant along the Chiredzi River.
“The scope of this project should be included in the current master plan document being crafted by the council under the Service Delivery Blueprint,” said Garwe.
Makondo Extension, in-fills and Lowlands, which are high density suburbs are currently using septic tanks which are hazardous to the environment while some portions are still yet to be connected with fresh water and residents rely on boreholes for safe water.
