Online Reporter
Diana Nherera
Herald Correspondent
HARARE Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has announced plans to improve water production and road conditions in the city.
Speaking at the 1 943rd ordinary meeting of council held at Town House yesterday, Clr Mafume expressed optimism that rains would help replenish water levels, which have recently declined in Lake Chivero.
“The first pumping of water from Lake Manyame will commence on December 31. Currently, Lake Manyame is over 70 percent full as we haven’t been drawing water from it. In contrast, Lake Chivero is nearing 50 percent capacity, which poses a significant challenge to our water supply.
“Declining water levels also mean the water is becoming dirtier, leading to higher treatment costs. We have received substantial support from the Government, totalling millions of dollars, aimed at improving the water situation,” he said.
Lake Manyame is connected to the main water works at Morton Jaffray via a tunnel drilled in the 1980s as part of a major water augmentation programme for Harare.
Clr Mafume also addressed the urgent need for road repairs.
He said the council “need to take action”.
“A crusher station and asphalt are essential. I am currently collaborating with the Zinara chairperson (Dr George Manyaya) and the Minister of Transport (Felix Mhona) to enhance our efforts.
“Progress has not been as swift as it should be regarding road repairs. While we have received support from Sadc and are grateful for those contributions, significantly more work remains in our wards and suburbs,” he said.
Clr Mafume added that the current condition of roads is unacceptable, adding that some needed to be done urgently.
“I have reached out for meetings with the Minister of Transport and Zinara leadership, expressing that we cannot continue with the current state of roads in our capital city next year.
“Motorists are paying their road user levies and fuel levies, and they deserve improved roads in return,” he said.
Further, Clr Mafume highlighted recent enhancements in waste management, saying the arrival of the first batch of refuse equipment from Geo Pomona Waste Management, resulted in increased activity in Harare’s neighbourhoods.
