adminPatrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
A SERIOUS water crisis has been averted in Gokwe after the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) handed eight new water pumps to draw water from boreholes to improve the town’s water supply.
The pumps were supplied under the Small Towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (Wash) and two of the pumps have already been installed.
Gokwe town secretary, Melania Mandeya, said the assistance they got from Unicef would alleviate the town’s water challenges.
“Unicef has bought eight water pumps for Gokwe town under the small towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme and we’re very grateful for the gesture.
“Once all the pumps are installed, we’re confident that the water challenges would be alleviated,” said Mandeya.
She said the local authority was taking water supply and sanitation services issues seriously as they fall under the Social Services and Poverty Eradication Cluster under Zim-Asset.
Mandeya said council was also working with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to sink boreholes at Gwehava Dam since the water level there was too low to pump.
“We’re working hand-in-hand with Zinwa to make sure that our residents have access to water. Plans are also underway to incorporate the residents so that they fund the water projects by contributing some money towards the maintenance of the pumps and boreholes while council and Zinwa provide technical expertise and labour.
“That way we will have continuous supply of water,” said Mandeya.
She said the town council was consulting Chief Njelele on plans to supply villagers close to Gokwe town with water.
Water problems in the town have previously seen relatives of some patients admitted to Gokwe District Hospital being asked at times to bring water as the institution’s tapes would have run dry.
derick.khumalo