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Blessings Chidakwa and Marytise Vambayi
Harare City Council yesterday extended its five-year partnership with VEI for the Waterworx Phase 2 programme as the last engagement lapsed last year.
Acting Mayor Musarurwa Stewart Mutizwa said the partnership would contribute towards increasing access to potable water, improved sanitation and hygiene, improved water and waste water infrastructure.
Mayor Mutizwa said partnerships could be an effective alternative model of service provision and the relationship between Harare and VEI attested to this.
“Service provision is a complex exercise that needs different skills and strategies. The city of Harare alone cannot win the battle of service delivery and what is needed is the collaboration of different role players using their different and unique capabilities.
“VEI funded the connection of 2 000 properties in Hopley as part of broader measures to ensure access to potable water and providing universal access to basic social services,” he said.
Mayor Mutizwa said partnerships between local authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and non-governmental organisations remains critical in improving the delivery of services in Harare.
Acting town clerk Engineer Phakamile Mabhena Moyo said the council started working with VEI as a technical advisor to the Zimfund Phase 2 project and then the Waterworx first five-year cycle which ended last year.
“This was then renewed into phase 2 ending 2026. VEI operates with the conviction that everyone around the world deserves a reliable supply of high-quality tap water.
“I am indeed delighted to know that the partnership with our all-weather friend has been officially extended for another five years. It is my hope that our partnership will grow from strength to strength over the coming 5 years,” he said.
Eng Moyo said through the city’s relationship with VEI they managed to unlock financial assistance from UNICEF and GIZ under Phase 1 which led to the installation of 2 000 water meters and connection lines.
“The current Unicef/VEI project that is under implementation is aimed at improving access to water in Budiriro, Mabvuku and Tafara.
“These areas are of great importance to us because there have been having water challenges for years and were prone to diseases such as typhoid and cholera.
“Through the interventions by our partners, communities in these suburbs now have access to potable water,” he said.
Eng Moyo said VEI has also assisted the city in improving the capacity of water engineers and other professionals in this sector through training programmes carried out by experts from The Netherlands.
“Another key project was aimed at reducing non-revenue water and this entailed the creation of three district metered areas that are Sunningdale, Marimba and Ashdown Park.
“We also received a meter reading app and meter reading phones, motor bikes and fuel to assist in billing and operations.”
Eng Moyo said there are also on-going efforts in institutional set up which leads to efficient service delivery.
Online Reporter