The new pumps
…says councils must not rely on donors
Tinaani
Nyabereka
Nyabereka
GWERU – Government last week handed
over the Amapongokwe Dam water project to Gweru City Council in a move which is
expected to improve the water situation in the city.
over the Amapongokwe Dam water project to Gweru City Council in a move which is
expected to improve the water situation in the city.
The
project saw the installation of four pumps which were procured by council with
help from central government in response to a severe water crisis.
project saw the installation of four pumps which were procured by council with
help from central government in response to a severe water crisis.
The Minister
of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavhima said the partnership
between central government and the local authority led to the success of the
project.
of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs, Larry Mavhima said the partnership
between central government and the local authority led to the success of the
project.
“What
impresses me is the level of cooperation which was exhibited between government
and Gweru City Council as the two parties came together harmoniously to achieve
what we see today.
impresses me is the level of cooperation which was exhibited between government
and Gweru City Council as the two parties came together harmoniously to achieve
what we see today.
“The
water issue came to our attention after residents knocked on our doors
complaining of water shortages in the city. This was after water levels at
Gwenhoro Dam reached alarmingly low levels. Let me commend the mayor and his
councillors for the measures they took in dealing with issue up to date,” Mavhima
said.
water issue came to our attention after residents knocked on our doors
complaining of water shortages in the city. This was after water levels at
Gwenhoro Dam reached alarmingly low levels. Let me commend the mayor and his
councillors for the measures they took in dealing with issue up to date,” Mavhima
said.
Permanent
Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governance, Public Works and National
Housing, George Magosvongwe said the collaboration and corporation done was of
importance to the Gweru community.
Secretary in the Ministry of Local Governance, Public Works and National
Housing, George Magosvongwe said the collaboration and corporation done was of
importance to the Gweru community.
“US$651 000
was approved by treasury at the request of the Ministry for the Amapongokwe
pumps. While government may come to assist on some and such initiatives,
council must enable the generation of internal funds for the continuous
improvement of water supplies.
was approved by treasury at the request of the Ministry for the Amapongokwe
pumps. While government may come to assist on some and such initiatives,
council must enable the generation of internal funds for the continuous
improvement of water supplies.
“Residents
must pay for the services given to them because nothing is for free. If this
goes well, we expect residents to complement council efforts to improve
delivery by paying their bills in time. We don’t expect a move where by local
authorities depend on donors for service delivery,” Magosvongwe said.
must pay for the services given to them because nothing is for free. If this
goes well, we expect residents to complement council efforts to improve
delivery by paying their bills in time. We don’t expect a move where by local
authorities depend on donors for service delivery,” Magosvongwe said.
Gweru
deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri said the project’s successful execution will
strengthen the city’s position as an investment destination.
deputy mayor Cleopas Shiri said the project’s successful execution will
strengthen the city’s position as an investment destination.
“As
council, we appreciate government intervention by way of giving us forex to purchase
the pumps and this is a great day for us.
council, we appreciate government intervention by way of giving us forex to purchase
the pumps and this is a great day for us.
“The
project will help us as a city to grow our GDP as people will come and invest
in Gweru. No one wants to invest in a city with serious water shortages. We
therefore appreciate that and hope that such relations will continue to
subsist,” said Shiri.
project will help us as a city to grow our GDP as people will come and invest
in Gweru. No one wants to invest in a city with serious water shortages. We
therefore appreciate that and hope that such relations will continue to
subsist,” said Shiri.
