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“However, the long-term solution to Bulawayo’s water woes is the Zambezi water but the challenge is with funding. All along the project was not getting enough funding because it was considered to be a citizen’s project and not for the State. Now the Government must work with people from Matabeleland and provide funding for that project.”
During the open discussion forum after Prof Ncube’s presentation, participants queried the sincerity of Minister Nkomo’s report.
“The Minister is not telling the truth about the status of water projects in Matabeleland. The water crisis is worsening in the city and the said repairs that he talks about have not happened,” fumed one of the participants from the floor.
“I have talked to Zinwa engineers in the Gwayi Catchment Area and they said some of the equipment for the repair of those boreholes is yet to be delivered. So what is the Minister talking about?”
At that moment there was agitation as the participants expressed concern over mounting water problems for Bulawayo and denigrated the Government for failing to come up with a lasting solution.
In an attempt to quell the commotion Prof Ncube in his response dodged the question and told the gathering that water issues should be answered by Minister Nkomo.
“Consider what I have just said as hearsay and consult with the Minister of water for questions pertaining to water otherwise I might mislead you,” said Prof Ncube.
On Friday a Chronicle newscrew then visited found non-functioning boreholes.
According to the Bulawayo City Council’s report water drawn from Nyamandlovu Aquifer was minimal as only 32 out of about 70 boreholes were operational by end of August and delivering water to the city.
An official from Zinwa who preferred anonymity said engineers were on the ground waiting for the procurement of equipment to start the work. “You are aware that donors have pledged to finance the rehabilitation of boreholes in Nyamandlovu Aquifer. However, the required material has not been delivered and once it is available the project would not take us more than two months. There are also considerations to drill new borehole pumps to increase water supply,” said the official.
Improvements in the pumping of water from Nyamandlovu Aquifer are set to augment dwindling water storage in the dams and boost supply for the city. The city has impatiently waited for the completion of the Mtshabezi pipeline project, which is a short-term measure to the water problems.
Contacted for comment on Thursday, Minister Nkomo confirmed that he presented the report but declined to give more details.
“I cannot give you that information now. I will discuss that with you when I come to Bulawayo tomorrow,” he said without elaborating.
When he was called for comment the following day his mobile phone was no longer reachable.
Vusumuzi Dube
Online Reporter