Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
THE construction of a new sewer oxidation dam under the broader Beitbridge Border Post modernisation project has contributed to improved service delivery and growth of the fastest-growing border towns.
As part of the ambitious upgrading of the border post is the 1,4 water reservoir, an animal plant and quarantine centre, 220 housing units for civil servants, and a fire station.
The Government implemented the project in partnership with the Zimborders Consortium under a US$300 million budget. Earlier, the local authority has been struggling to address water and sewer reticulation challenges.
At some point, the local authority was taken to court by the Environmental Management Agency for failing to manage the sewer problem as pipe bursts became the order of the day.
Former mayor, Councillor Munyaradzi Chitsunge said the construction of the sewer oxidation dam, which has since been handed over to the Government would go a long way in addressing perennial service delivery challenges in the town.
“The new oxidation plant will increase the sewer reticulation capacity of the town. What it means is that the more we have houses constructed, we are not going to have an overwhelmed sewer reticulation system,” he said.
The other benefit is that we have a sewer farm to promote urban agriculture and we are allocating some farmers plots to the farm.
“So, this modern infrastructure is a boost for irrigation water at these planned horticulture projects.”
Beitbridge-based business consultant, Mrs Sam Chimere said the new sewer reticulation infrastructure was a milestone achievement for the town, which is rapidly expanding in terms of housing and business properties. He said the facility will improve service delivery in the town in terms of low operational and maintenance costs.
Experts say the oxidation dams provide effective treatment with minimal threat to the environment compared to other methods of waste management.
“The unprecedented pace of population growth and transit population means that the old waste stabilisation ponds were overwhelmed and we applaud the construction of this new facility,” said Dr Nicholas Muleya, a town planning expert.
“According to the 2022 Census the Beitbridge town population stands at about 58 574 and has drastically improved compared to the previous census.
“So, the oxidation pond project is a positive development towards service delivery although there is a need to plan for infrastructure that meets the needs of the project’s population growth.”
Chairman of the Beitbridge Informal Traders Association, Mr Mafios Macheka said that the project was a timeous intervention on the part of the Government.
He said sewer management was a critical component of service delivery in any urban settlement. Zimbabwe-born, Dr Clement Chipenda who is South African Research Chair in Social Policy at the University of South Africa (Unisa) said the development of a state-of-the-art and adequate sewer system highlights an important milestone in National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
“This is a commitment to an improvement in infrastructure development, investment, and expansion in critical areas particularly water and sanitation as well as social amenities,” he said.
“In fact, this comes in a background where NDS1 acknowledges that sanitation systems and services in many urban and rural areas have deteriorated with the majority of the sewerage systems having experienced large-scale blockages and water treatment plants are dysfunctional.
“Having this infrastructure in place highlights the progress towards addressing an often-overlooked challenge in urban areas”.
Dr Chipendo said the latest sewer infrastructure will ensure Zimbabwe’s progress towards attaining three of the 17 SDGs namely — SDG3 on good health and well-being — SDG6 on clean water and sanitation and SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities. -@tupeyo
Online Reporter