adminsystems.
The grant comes in the background of the bank’s estimates on the country’s requirements to rehabilitate its water and sanitation sector.
At least US$450 million is required each year for the water sector. Of that amount, US$300 million is required for rehabilitation of old infrastructure. The grant initially meant to alleviate the effects of the 2008 cholera epidemic, would now be channelled towards the upgrading of water and sewer works in the municipalities. Harare received the biggest amount of US$9,5 million, while Chitungwiza received US$1,5 million, Chegutu US$1,9 million, Masvingo US$2,7 million, Mutare US$5,6 million and Kwekwe US$3,6 million.
According to a schedule of the financial support to the five cities US$5,9 million would go towards capacity building, medium to long term investment plans, project management services among other attendant costs to the successful implementation of the projects.
Mutare will use the money to rehabilitate Sakubva, town and Gimboki sewer plants and the installation of a trunk sewer to Gimboki. Mutare will also repair an abandoned water pipeline and a reservoir.
Masvingo will buy new electrical equipment for the water and sewer plants and vehicles. Kwekwe will buy water pumping equipment, electrical equipment and fund ancillary works at the water and sewer plants.
In its report Infrastructure and Growth in Zimbabwe, the AfDB notes that Zimbabwe’s challenge after the 2008 cholera epidemic is to rebuild the urban and rural water supply and sanitation infrastructure as well to strengthen the local government capacities for service delivery.
Online Reporter