adminthe only project expected to salvage Bulawayo from perennial water shortages.
According to the Government Work Plan programme target, the project was supposed to be completed in October after it had again failed to meet the initial March deadline.
Speaking to journalists after a tour of the project in Mtshabezi yesterday, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said the project would now be completed by year-end.
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PM Tsvangirai said in construction there was nothing like a deadline but people work with projections.
“This is work in progress. In construction you cannot say by such a day I will be complete, these are mere projections. In construction this can happen.
“We are hoping that the Minister’s (Sipepa Nkomo) estimation will be fulfilled. Definitely, one of these days it is going to be complete,” he said.
PM Tsvangirai, however, could not admit failure by Minister of Water Sipepa Nkomo, who was tasked under the Government Work Plan to ensure speed completion of the project.
As the chairman of the Council of Ministers, PM Tsvangirai is the one who should monitor the projects being implemented by Ministries.
PM Tsvangirai insisted that the project was being implemented within the timelines of the Government Work Plan.
“I must say in terms of the Government Work Plan target, it is on line. This project is a very important lifeline to Bulawayo’s water supply.
“I am informed that by the end of year the project should have been completed. There are a few structures that need to be put in place, but largely of the 42 kilometre pipeline they are constructing, they have already laid down about 32km, which is a good improvement,” he said.
Turning to the issue of the families that were displaced by the construction of the pipeline, PM Tsvangirai said the State had a right to do so as long as the displacements were done for national interest.
He said Government principle was to ensure compensation of the affected people. Minister Nkomo said he was also optimistic that the project would complete by year-end.
On the affected families he said: “I do know there are areas where we went through a field and some areas where we went through a homestead. We are definitely not going to hit and run and leave those people without assistance. We are going to try and assist them.”
The pipeline is expected to pump water from Mtshabezi Dam to augment Umzingwane and four other dams that are failing to sustain the city for the whole year.
Online Reporter
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