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“We know the urgency with which Bulawayo needs the water. At least we have made a breakthrough with the connections and we shall build on that to bring water to the city,” said Dr Nkomo.
The Minister said the water that was pumped on Saturday did not reach Bulawayo, as it was supposed to first fill the pipeline.
“We were also able to observe that parts of the pipe that were filled with water, did not have leaks,” he said.
Contacted for comment, Bulawayo’s Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo, said he was tired of commenting on the Mtshabezi project.
“I am now tired. All we need is water. I just wish that this project can be concluded. I hope next time I speak about Mtshabezi, we will be officially commissioning the project,” said Clr Moyo.
Dr Nkomo had announced a breakthrough over the weekend, after AC Controls, a Harare-based company that had been contracted to provide electricity to the project by the State Procurement Board, was fired for alleged incompetence.
Bulawayo is desperately banking on water from Mtshabezi Dam, following reports that a third supply dam, Lower Ncema, could be decommissioned before Christmas.
Without the water, the city may increase the water shedding period from the present four days a week to six, after decommissioning Lower Ncema.
The Mtshabezi Project is viewed as the short-term solution to the city’s perennial water problems.
Two supply dams, Upper Ncema and Umzingwane have already been decommissioned.
Another dam, Inyankuni, is likely to follow early next year if there are no heavy rains.
Bulawayo is reportedly facing its worst water crisis in a decade following inflows of about one percent into the five supply dams last year due to a poor rainy season.
derick.khumalo
Online Reporter