Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
GOVERNMENT has engaged private consultant engineers to spearhead Victoria Falls’ Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (Wash) programme to provide a permanent solution to the city’s perennial water shortages.
The engineers are already on the ground.
This comes barely a week after President Mnangagwa told scores of people, mostly Victoria Falls residents who welcomed him at the Victoria Falls Airport last Wednesday that Government was going to take over water supply in the resort city.
President Mnangagwa’s promise was followed by a recent visit to council by Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo who introduced the consultants to the local authority marking the start of their work.
Victoria Falls City Council has over the years been courting investors for its US$15 million Wash project which will result in an overhaul of the whole water and sewer system.
Council has been struggling to supply water to the growing population owing to challenges in pumping and limited capacity of its reservoirs.
In an interview on the sidelines of a visit to the city’s waterworks yesterday, Victoria Falls Town Clerk Mr Ronnie Dube said there is growing interest by Government to help the local authority address water challenges.
“We have purchased some equipment for the pump station and waterworks, so it’s work in progress. Government has since moved in to assist us to address the problem and this is commendable.
Minister Moyo brought some consulting engineers who will together with our own engineers come up with a plan which is going to be presented to the Minister for onward transmission to Cabinet,” said Mr Dube.
Treasury allocated $33 million to the local authority in the 2022 National Budget for construction of a new treatment plant and water tank, and council will also have access to the $176 million conditional grant.
Mr Dube said the Wash project still requires US$15 million but the budget could be reduced as engagement of consultants by Government seeks to find a cheaper solution.
During yesterday’s tour which was part of the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone feasibility assessment study validation workshop programme, engineers from the Zimbabwe National Water Management Authority (Zinwa) said there is a bigger plan to integrate water system for Victoria Falls and the planned Masue City developments.
Zinwa has since handed over management of raw water to the city but still manages one of the pump stations at the same site, which supplies the airport and nearby Monde community.
The local authority pumps slightly above 17 000 cubic meters daily against a daily demand of more than 22 000 cubic metres. — @ncubeleon
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