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George Maponga Masvingo Bureau
Masvingo City Council has roped in the Infrastructural Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ) to help raise over US$70 million required to roll-out a water augmentation project, which is expected to end water challenges in the ancient city.
The town is angling for world class city status by 2030. The water project seeks to raise daily water output from 30 megalitres to 60 megalitres. Project scope entails duplicating the entire water pumping, purification, conveyancing and storage infrastructure.
Council had initially pinned hopes of a financial window for the project from China Eximbank but delays in securing a Government guarantee, have seen Masvingo City look elsewhere.
Residents have been pressuring council to expedite roll out of the water project, given biting shortages of clean water, which are expected to worsen as the dry season looms.
Town Clerk Engineer Edward Mukaratirwa yesterday said: “We have been waiting for a Government guarantee to secure a loan facility from China Eximbank but there have been delays because authorities need to solve some issues first before there is scope for us to get the guarantee to borrow money for the long-awaited project.
“At the moment, we have cast our nets wider and have roped in IDBZ to secure alternative funders for the project and we are very hopeful that there is going to be a breakthrough soon so that we embark on the water project, which we hope will end the challenges currently facing our city.”
Eng Mukaratirwa said increasing water output to 60 megalitres daily would ensure the city has enough water to cater for the envisaged further jump in demand as new suburbs emerge in the city.
Masvingo city’s population has increased rapidly over the past decade with the opening of new suburbs including Victoria Ranch, Zimre Park and Clipsham Views that has seen a sharp surge in aggregate demand for water. Most of the new suburbs face crippling water shortages because present supplies in the city outstrip demand. Plans are underway to open the new Rujeko D suburb where more than 600 new houses will be developed. This will further put pressure on water provision.
Eng Mukaratirwa expressed optimism that the multi-million water augmentation project will eliminate Masvingo City’s water challenges and consolidate ongoing efforts to make the ancient city a word-class urban settlement in seven years’ time.
Masvingo City has already embarked on a new street lighting system to improve safety in the city while a new central business district is earmarked across Mucheke River where shopping malls and other modern facilities will be built.
The town last embarked on a major upgrade of its water infrastructure in 1984 when its population was around 20 000.
The city added 6 megalitres to its daily output a few years ago under phase one of the water augmentation project that was affected by underfunding Masvingo draws its water from Lake Mutirikwi, which is Zimbabwe’s second largest inland dam.
Council bosses have toyed with plans to build a water pipeline from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam, about 80km away, to meet water demand.
Online Reporter