Morton Jaffray rehab nears completion

Rudo Mandiro

REHABILITATION of Harare’s Morton Jaffray and Warren Control waterworks, which is being financed by Government through devolution funds, will be completed by April next year.

Earlier this year, Government released US$9,3 million to fund the upgrade of Harare’s water reticulation system, which has fallen apart owing to years of neglect by successive MDC-led councils.

The intervention by Government, which is expected to improve residents’ access to clean potable water, has been affected by Covid-19 induced restrictions which have delayed works.

Harare City Council spokesperson Mr Michael Chideme told The Sunday Mail that most of the equipment required for the rehabilitation work was onsite.

“The project involves rehabilitation of Warren Control Pump Station with replacement of 14 pumps; seven pumps to Alex Park and seven at Letombo, including rehabilitation of the Darwendale pump station with work on five pumps,” said Mr Chideme.

“To date, 90 percent of the equipment is already in the country.

“Seven of the 14 pumps have already been installed at Warren Control, while three of the seven pumps are undergoing wet commissioning since August 16 on the Alex side with the other four expected in from August 23.

“The installation of the remaining seven pumps is expected to commence on August 30 until the end of October 2021.

“Work on the Morton Jaffray pump station is anticipated to commence henceforth with completion expected in April 2022.”

He said the project has been affected by the Covid-19 induced movement restrictions which have also hamstrung the clearance of equipment at ports of entry.