Residents denounce BCC’s stance to establish private water, sanitation utility

Mashudu Mambo
BULAWAYO Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) has denounced the move by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to establish a private water and sanitation utility claiming that it is an elitist move that will affect low-income households.
In a statement by BPRA, they indicated that the move by the city council undermines the need to put residents at the heart of development.
“Residents and stakeholders of the city of Bulawayo would like to denounce the local authority’s stance to establish a private water and sanitation utility that will manage the city’s water and sanitation services in partnership with a Dutch Company. The growing culture within the local authority that seems to undermine not only the value of the residents and stakeholders in the city but also the constitution of Zimbabwe, the National Development Strategy 1, the devolution and decentralisation policies which explicitly emphasise the need to put communities at the heart of any development through consultations,” read the statement.
BPRA indicated that the privatisation of water is an elitist approach that is likely to affect low-income households.
“This move towards privatisation of water directly infringes the resident’s right to clean and safe water. This is a clear elitist approach which will affect low-income households already struggling with the rising cost of living,” read the statement.
BPRA stated that this move is likely to increase the cost of water bills which in turn infringe the rights of the residents.
“Privatisation of water means that the cost of water might increase, meaning it will further infringe their rights of accessibility of the precious liquid, and compromise the quality of service delivery. We also fear that this move is likely to cause a decline in water quality, reduced maintenance and investment in infrastructure that is likely to decline due to this privatisation,” read the statement.
BPRA highlighted that the move was likely to make it difficult for residents to hold the private company accountable.
“It will be difficult for residents to hold the private company accountable for the use of funds, their actions or the state of these services. We believe decisions concerning our city’s essential resources should be made by those who understand the unique needs of our community, not by distant corporate entities focused on profit,” read the statement.
Clr Tavengwa Zidya (Ward 24) said water provision must not be “privatised and made elitist” “Access to water is a human right. Everyone must have access to water and as council we must come up with ways to improve the water situation in the city for the benefit of everyone. We must not consider strategies that will make water provision for those with money only,” he said.