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Prosper Ndlovu Senior Reporter
WATER Resources Development and Management Minister Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo yesterday reportedly summoned engineers in charge of the Mtshabezi pipeline to explain last week’s failure to have the project commissioned. The project, which was meant to be officially commissioned by MDC-T deputy president and Deputy Prime Minister Ms Thokozani Khupe on Friday, turned into a circus after some unknown people allegedly cut the power line to the pump station.
Officials from Dr Nkomo’s ministry, who spoke on condition of anonymity yesterday, however, said the meeting that was supposed to take place at the pump station failed after Dr Nkomo was said to have rushed to Harare on the last minute for an urgent MDC-T meeting.
“The Minister had called a meeting with engineers from major contractors who implemented the project.The meeting was supposed to take place at 2pm but he has not arrived,” said the official.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is in charge of the project and the major contractor is a company called China Nachang Private Limited while sub-contractors include Hydroprojects (Pvt) Ltd and AC Controls Engineering, which is in charge of electricity connection.
When the news crew visited the pump station later in the day, technicians were seen busy working on the power line.
A handful of MDC-T supporters who were wearing party regalia were also spotted around the venue of the meeting.
“The Minister wanted all engineers involved to make a test run of everything so that it would be proved that the project was running efficiently,” said the official.
Dr Nkomo, who could not be reached on his mobile phone for comment, suffered embarrassment last week when he abruptly cancelled the commissioning of the project when Ms Khupe and invited guests had already gathered at the site to witness the occasion. The Minister is being accused of seeking to use the pipeline project to drum up support for his party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai and Ms Nomalanga Khumalo, the MDC-T candidate in the neighbouring Umzingwane constituency. Villagers from the area have said MDC-T leaders were not the rightful people to officiate over the commissioning of the project.
Bulawayo and Matabeleland South Governors Cdes Cain Mathema and Angeline Masuku have also said the project was Zanu-PF’s initiative.
The Governors, who said they have not been informed about the plans to commission the project, said MDC-T should liaise with Zanu-PF leaders who pioneered the project in the 1990s.
Mtshabezi Dam is regarded as the short term solution to Bulawayo’s water shortages.
Online Reporter