Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has commended Victoria Falls City Council for successfully implementing a US$4,5 million water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) project, describing it as a shining example of self-reliance and effective service delivery by local authorities.
The project, one of the largest fully council-funded infrastructure developments in the resort city in recent years, involves the construction of new water reservoirs, a pump station and major network upgrades aimed at significantly increasing water supply capacity.
Speaking in an interview after touring the almost complete facility, which is scheduled for commissioning in the first quarter of next year, Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister, Albert Mavhunga, said the initiative aligns with national development priorities and demonstrates the capacity of local authorities to deliver critical services using internally generated revenue.
“I am quite impressed with the efforts of the local authority here in Victoria Falls. Water and sanitation are a key service delivery component in our local authorities,” he said.
“What excites me the most is that this project was fully funded by the council without any loan facility or direct financial assistance from Central Government. This is exactly the direction we encourage our local authorities to take.”
Deputy Minister Mavhunga said the project reflects the Government’s broader expectations under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS 2), which places strong emphasis on decentralisation, devolution and the empowerment of local authorities to drive development.
“Our emphasis is that local authorities must put in place efficient revenue collection systems. When that happens, they are able to undertake transformative projects such as this one. NDS 2 and what Victoria Falls City Council is doing here speak directly to each other,” he said.
Deputy Minister Mavhunga also highlighted the project’s importance in meeting the Government’s newly introduced Minimum Service Delivery Standards, noting that Victoria Falls supplies residents with up to 21 hours of clean water per day — a performance that surpasses that of many local authorities.
“Water provision is one of the key indicators we measure as Central Government. Providing 21 hours of clean water places Victoria Falls among the best-performing local authorities in the country,” he said.
The Wash project was conceived to address increasing demand for water from both the growing residential population and the city’s expanding tourism sector. It has been financed entirely through the council’s own revenue, a model that has drawn praise as a blueprint for financial sustainability.
Victoria Falls City council officials said the new infrastructure will not only expand water coverage but also improve pressure and quality, further strengthening Victoria Falls’ standing as a world-class tourist destination.
With commissioning expected early next year, the project is expected to play a key role in supporting NDS 2 and the country’s Vision 2030 objective of attaining upper-middle-income status.
“We encourage all local authorities to ensure that their budgeting processes align with the pillars of NDS 2, which is the national roadmap guiding us towards Vision 2030,” said Deputy Minister Mavhunga.
derick.khumalo