adminMazowe and Musami Dams, to boost the city’s water supply.
Mr Masunda, who has not implemented any major project during his two-year tenure at Town House, argues that council is better placed to do the job than central Government.
“We need to move and move with speed and ratchet up the provision of water. At least US$1,1 billion is required to fund the construction of the Kunzvi and Musami dams. The combined effect of the two dams would ‘completely erase’ Harare’s water woes.”
Mr Masunda made the remarks in his presentation at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai on Thursday. He requested Mr Tsvangirai to use his influence in Cabinet to ensure that Government reverses its earlier resolution to take over the construction of Kunzvi Dam.
“We are better placed than the Ministry of Water to do Kunzvi Dam. We do not want to cut off our friend Minister Sipepa Nkomo. When it comes to implementation, no Government Ministry is more capable than us,” he said.
He said once the dams were built, Harare would dedicate the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant to Chitungwiza, which buys its water from Harare.
Studies have shown Chitungwiza could build its own water plant along Manyame River with a capacity to yield 60 megalitres a day.
Kunzvi Dam, expected to supply 270 megalitres, was supposed to be built in 2004 while Musami Dam was earmarked for commissioning in 2007. Musami was forecast to produce 450 megalitres.
The third water source, Mazowe Dam is supposed to be commissioned in 2017 but judging from past experience, the project could still be “still-born”.
Harare and its satellite towns of Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Norton and Epworth have an unrestricted demand of 1 200 megalitres per day but only half the demand is produced daily. This means other suburbs have to go without water. In summer the demands rises to 1 400 megalitres.
Construction of Kunzvi Dam on Nyagui River was approved by Cabinet in 1996 after realisation that Harare’s growth was outstripping its water supply. Harare council was to construct the dam but along the way responsibility was transferred to Government.
Online Reporter