Chronicle Editor
Blessings Chidakwa Midlands Bureau
Four companies that were recently contracted by Kwekwe City Council to install 300 prepaid water meters have completed the pilot project, mayor Councillor Matenda Madzoke has said. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Engineer George Mlilo last month said all local authorities should install prepaid water meters for them to improve revenue.
In an interview, Clr Madzoke said Hukoshwa, Utility systems, Trico Investments and Sidal Engineering had successfully installed 300 water meters in different suburbs as a pilot project. He said a full council meeting would decide on the best company that would take over the whole project. Clr Madzoke said in the 2018 budget, the local authority had set aside $1,8 million for the project, which would be fully implemented at the beginning of next year.
“We have started a pilot project and residents in places where we installed the smart meters have welcomed the move. Prepaid water meters are the way to go as residents are now budgeting water. Also, as council, we now know that we treat water that is consumed,” he said.
Clr Madzoke said Kwekwe City came up with a 16-item priority list in its budget for 2018. He said on the list were ambulances, graders, refuse trucks, as well as the installation of CCTVs at the council’s long distance bus terminus.
“There are reports that residents blocked council’s bid to purchase a mayoral vehicle. That’s not true. As council, we had 16 priorities and chief among them was to purchase two ambulances, refuse trucks and a grader to maintain roads ahead of the rainy season. The mayoral vehicle was the last item on the list. At the moment our priority is service delivery,” said Clr Madzoke.
Online Reporter