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Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
Government, through the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, has procured 10 drilling rigs to the tune of about $5 million, Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri has said.
Addressing hundreds of Tynwald residents in Harare witnessing the commissioning of the 17th borehole, whose drilling was facilitated by the area’s National Assembly member Cde Betty Nhambu Kaseke yesterday, Minister Muchinguri said the rigs were anticipated to ease water shortages in areas whose water table had gone below 100 metres.
These areas include Matabelaland and Masvingo provinces and some districts such as Mt Darwin and Mutoko.
“We anticipate to reach out to the dry areas in the country whose water table has gone beyond 100 metres because these are very special rigs,” said Minister Muchinguri.
She said Government, in partnership with developmental agencies through the water and sanitation projects was targeting to rehabilitate 5 000 boreholes specifically in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central provinces.
“These provinces have traditionally been left out in water programmes and they were also affected during the drought period,” she said.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, whose ministry also donated two of the 17 boreholes in Kuwadzana constituency, urged Tynwald residents to look after the borehole to ensure they continue accessing clean and safe water.
She warned against practices that contribute to borehole water contamination, saying people should also practice good hygiene.
“Last year, you heard that some boreholes were contaminated,” said Minister Muchinguri. “These boreholes were contaminated by some of you through unhygienic practices.
“Let us all learn to keep our environment clean.”
Speaking at the same occasion, Cde Kaseke said her constituency embarked on a programme meant to keep the community clean. She said the programme running under the banner “Going Green” will see teams of women and youths collecting garbage from undesignated places, paper picking and planting fruit trees.
“We will partner with the Harare City Council and EMA to ensure that our constituency is clean,” said Cde Kaseke. “We already have teams of volunteers who are willing to take part in the programme.”
Cde Kaseke said it was her dream for the programme to become national.
Online Reporter