adminHeather Charema in CHEGUTU
Chegutu Municipality is set to complete the replacement of six sewage pumps for the town’s three sewer pump stations by end of year to alleviate recurrent sewerage bursts.
The regular sewage bursts have been blamed for the intermittent water-borne disease outbreaks in the town.
The local authority is replacing three pump stations servicing the ZMDC suburb, Kaguvi phases 1 and 2, and phases 3 and 4.
Funds for the project came from the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP).
Speaking during a visit by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public works and National Housing in Chegutu on Monday, Chegutu director for financial services Mr Tongai Mandude said the money received was enough to supply, install and commission the three pump stations.
It will also be channelled towards replacing sewer pipes in Chegutu and Pfupajena suburbs.
“The local authority received $293 927 in February 2019, $150 000 in April, $593 000 in August and in November, we received $3,9 million for urgent water and sewer network rehabilitation,” said Mr Mandude.
“Under devolution, we also received $520 000 in November. We procured six new sewer pumps for the three pump stations and it cost us $2,4 million and we bought new plastic sewer pipes for the replacement of sewer lines in Chegutu and Pfupajena suburbs.”
Mr Mandude said the $293 927 and the $150 000 was for the rehabilitation of filter beds.
So far, 8 tonnes of sand have been bought for the replacement of six filter beds at the water station.
The rehabilitation of sand filter beds gobbled $704 000.
The council also bought 300 post-paid water meters.
Chegutu Municipality chamber secretary, Mr Jacob Chikuruwo said: “The replacement of these sewer pump sets will foil the perennial sewage network problems that we are facing as a town and we expect to bring in a permanent solution this year.”
Local Government, Public works and National Housing Parliamentary Portfolio Committee chairperson, Miriam Chikukwa urged councils to consult residents and policymakers when identifying areas of priority in service delivery.
The Portfolio Committee is on a countrywide service delivery familiarisation tour, to assess the overall state of service delivery by local authorities.
It has so far toured Binga RDC, Hwange Town Council, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Chegutu and Zvimba RDC.
Online Reporter