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Most of our cities have struggled with crumbling infrastructure due to years of neglect and a lack of funding caused by difficult economic circumstances. A�
Water provision has been quite a challenge for many towns and cities across the country with the quality of water constantly coming under the spotlight as residents complained over the colour of the water or its non-availability in some cases.
Bulawayo has fared quite well in terms of coverage of residential areas in terms of water provision despite facing dwindling supplies in its supply dams due to recurrent droughts.A� It is against this background that news that the city got $37 million from the African Development Bank to improve its water and sewerage services made interesting reading.
We learn that work on the four -year project has already begun and that on completion there would be improved household access to water and reduced environmental pollution from sewage.A�A� It is very important to upgrade water treatment infrastructure in line with modern trends and also to improve pumping capacity to cater for the growing urban population.
A delay in addressing that mismatch has resulted in nightmares in the capital where large areas go without water for long periods and only recently the local authority has been incrementally addressing the challenge.A� It is always good to plan for such eventualities in advance so that even residents can have faith in the competence of their council.
The bursting of old sewage pipes in suburbs makes such a terrible sight and exposes residents to many diseases hence any project that seeks to stem that is most welcome.
a�?The project will assist the city in ensuring that we mitigate the challenges of water and revenue lost through leaks as well and ensure that the sewage generated in the city is treated and water treatment works,a�? said Bulawayo mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo, as reported in our sister paper, Chronicle.
Described as one of the biggest grants channelled towards water and sanitation in the country, the $37 million project is expected to ensure that 75 000 people would have access to basic water and sewerage services.
In view of the recent allegations of improper conduct by some of our city fathers, it is our hope that everything shall be done by the book in this project.A� We cannot afford to have shady deals that siphon money meant for noble projects.
Transparency should be the hallmark of the council.
This is what we had come to expect over the years and it would not be asking for much if we demand that we toe the ethical line for this and other projects so that we develop Bulawayo, the chief reason why we have a local authority in place.
Online Reporter