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Blessings Chidakwa in Kadoma
Chegutu Municipality has engaged the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) to replace its water and sewer network, a development expected to curb perennial problems faced in the town.
The city officials have over the years been clashing with residents since the devastating cholera outbreak in 2007 when most suburbs started facing sewer and water reticulation problems.
Subsequent cholera outbreaks have also led to deaths over the years.
In an interview early this week, Chegutu Town Clerk Mr Alex Mandigo said the project would commence anytime this year and was expected to address the perennial water challenges and sewer bursts.
“The IDBZ has committed itself to do rehabilitation of our water and sewer network,” he said. “They are going to buy the material, as well as contract a company that will do the work on the ground as council’s manpower would be strained for such a huge project.”
Mr Mandigo could not disclose the full details of the project, including its proposed budget.
The latest development has also been hailed by Chegutu residents.
Ward 8 resident, Mrs Ellis Karimakwanda, who survived the 2007 cholera outbreak, said drinking water was still a major challenge in the town with residents queuing for hours at some boreholes.
“When supplies are restored the water is sometimes dirty and the fact that something is being done is commendable, especially for residents in areas that have suffered for many years,” she said.
Mr Cosmas Chaitezvi from Ward 4 said the recurrent sewer bursts have forced residents to use unorthodox means to survive.
“Residents who share bathrooms and toilets have been forced to bath in their bedrooms because of the sewer which sometimes flows back into their toilets,” he said. “Even if council plumbers attend to the faults, the water and sewer reticulation systems are too old and the same challenges recur.”
Residents have also been forced to contribute regularly to have the faults attended to.
“We have to contribute 50c per household every time we call council workers to attend to water and sewer bursts,” Mrs Norest Agostino said.
Zanu-PF Ward 5 councillor Cde Stanley Banda said he has been forced to engage private contractors to attend to the faults in his area.
“My area and Ward 4 are the oldest in Chegutu and the water and sewer reticulation problems are perennial while maintenance of community facilities have been very poor,” he said.
“I have taken it upon myself to rescue the community and we have repaired some of the pipes using our own resources.”
While residents have applauded council for engaging the IBDZ, some believe that corporates such as giants, ZMDC and Zimplats, have a role to play in the infrastructure development of Chegutu.
Online Reporter