Ministry promises strict management of fund

other uses.
Water Resources Development and Management Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo, yesterday said the fund that was administered by the African Development Bank will be strictly managed to ensure all the money was invested in water and sanitation.

British based Crown Agents who have been appointed as the procurement agents for the fund are now inviting bids by suppliers of goods and services to implement the rehabilitation programmes.
The funds were promised in 2008 during the devastating cholera outbreak that killed over 4 000 people nationwide.
Harare was given US$9,5 million, Mutare US$5,5 million, Masvingo US$2,8 million, Kwekwe US$3,6 million, Chegutu US$1,9 million and Chitungwiza US$1,4 million.

“The funds are for urgent water supply and sanitation rehabilitation projects. The ministry will ensure that the funds are applied to their intended uses. The bank will also ensure work is done properly,” he said.
He said after the initial funding phase, more funds would be allocated to other cities and towns to undertake similar projects.
Some of the urban local authorities that would benefit in the next disbursement are Victoria Falls, Epworth, Ruwa and Redcliff.

Funds for Harare would be used to upgrade Firle and Crowborough Sewer Treatment Plants.
The grant will be used to rehabilitate chemical dosing equipment, revamp water distribution and to install new flow meters while part of the funding will go towards the purchase of vehicles and upgrading of sewer equipment at Firle.

In the absence of the funding that has taken long to come, considerable work has already been done using internal funding, loans and donor funds.
Mutare will use the money to rehabilitate Sakubva, town and Gimboki sewer plants and the installation of a new trunk sewer to Gimboki. Mutare will also repair an abandoned water pipeline and a reservoir.

Masvingo will buy new electrical equipment for the water and sewer plants and vehicles, while Kwekwe will buy water pumping equipment, electrical equipment and fund ancillary works at the water and sewer plants.