BCC dismisses privatisation fears

Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has reassured residents that there are no plans to privatise the city’s water utility department, saying the decision to wean it off from the department of engineering was taken to ring-fence water assets.

The clarification comes after concerns were raised following the recent decision to separate the water utility from the department of engineering.

Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, said the entity will remain wholly owned by the local authority and there will be no diversion of funds to third parties.

Last month, BCC announced the unbundling of its engineering services department to create a stand-alone water utility department, aimed at improving efficiency in the management of the city’s water and sanitation services. A transition budget of US$17 million has been set aside for this project, with support from the Netherlands-based organisation VEI and other partners.

However, Ward 17 councillor, Sikhululekile Moyo, revealed during a full council meeting on Wednesday that the project would be paused until the city has sufficient water supplies.

“We have put that idea aside until such a time when we have enough water in the city,” she said, urging residents not to be concerned and to share their views on the matter.

Cllr Coltart clarified that the project has not been officially shelved, as no resolution was passed to reverse the original decision.

However, he acknowledged the unanimous concern among councillors about the timing of the project, given the city’s current water challenges.

“There is no resolution to shelve the project. The existing full council resolution stands and has not been reversed. We will take more time to work on it and explain the proposed structure to the public,” he said.

Cllr Coltart was firm in his stance that the council has no intention of privatising the water utility. He explained that privatisation would involve transferring assets to private individuals, which is not part of the plan.

“The intention is to ring-fence water assets and administration, but the entity will remain wholly owned by BCC,” he said, assuring that all surplus revenue will be reinvested in water infrastructure rather than redirected to general city finances.

“The historical problem has been that water revenues were absorbed into general expenses, rather than being used to maintain and expand our water assets,” added Cllr Coltart.

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) had previously voiced concerns over the council’s plans, fearing that privatisation could lead to higher water costs and potentially infringe on residents’ rights to affordable and accessible water.

BPRA cited Section 77 of the Zimbabwean Constitution, which guarantees the right to clean, safe, and potable water.

BPRA also highlighted the city’s water crisis, which has escalated in recent years and poses significant risks to public health. In 2020, a diarrhoea outbreak in Luveve suburb underscored the need for urgent action to address Bulawayo’s water shortages.

The association argued that any move perceived as privatisation could further exacerbate these challenges, particularly for low-income residents.

As the city continues to grapple with a water crisis, BCC is planning on public engagements to ensure stakeholders are fully informed about its plans for the water utility.