adminHerald Reporter
Harare’s caretaker council has met a visiting delegation of engineers from China as part of a deal that will result in the city’s water department receiving assistance in addressing the perennial water shortages. Town Clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi said in an interview that the visit was part of the process towards a U$144 million loan deal from the Export Import Bank of China.
“The engineers are in the country for two weeks and are helping us with the priorities towards the full implementation of the programme,” said Dr Mahachi. “We met up with the delegation on Friday.”
City spokesperson Mr Leslie Gwindi said council was still to meet to discuss the way forward.
“At the moment, I cannot disclose what came up in that meeting because we have not met as council to discuss,” he said.
“Once we have met then the agenda and resolutions will be given.”
Harare City Council together with the director of water Engineer Christopher Zvobgo visited China last week to map out the details of the asset supply plan, loan disbursement and selection of suppliers for the city’s water department.
Once received, the money was expected to increase the availability of water. The city is supplying only 614 mega litres a day against a demand of 1 300 mega litres.
Harare City Council signed the agreement with the Chinese in 2011 as a result of cordial relations between the country and Zimbabwe.
Online Reporter