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Remember Deketeke
Herald Correspondent
The water pipe replacement initiative led by Harare City Council in partnership with Helcrow Electrical is set to extend beyond the capital to encompass Norton, Chitungwiza, Ruwa and Epworth.
This initiative aligns with President Mnangagwa’s Call to Action programme aimed at modernising water infrastructure.
Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe noted that the project, which started in Warren Park 1, is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance service delivery and guarantee reliable access to clean water for all communities in the Greater Harare Metropolitan area.
Minister Garwe emphasised, “This exercise marks a decisive step towards modernising our city’s water infrastructure and ensuring residents have access to clean and reliable water that is consistent.”
He further stressed that the Call to Action is “a directive for results-driven development that directly improves people’s lives”.
The expansion to Chitungwiza, Ruwa, Epworth and Norton aims to ensure that no community is left behind in improving water reticulation systems.
The project involves replacing ageing asbestos pipes with durable PVC piping, starting with Warren Park, where over a kilometre has already been completed.
Workers are laying approximately 40 metres of pipe daily, with the first phase targeting 400 kilometres across Harare out of the estimated 6 800 kilometres slated for future replacement.
This initial phase is set to be completed in the first quarter of next year, facilitating similar projects in other suburbs and surrounding towns.
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume expressed optimism, stating that the rehabilitation would significantly reduce water losses caused by burst pipes that have plagued the city for years.
“The replacement of these pipes will go a long way in reducing leakages and ensuring that more households actually receive the water they are billed for,” he said, adding, “This is not only about fixing pipes; it’s about restoring efficiency, trust, and service delivery in our city.”
Cde Maxmore Njanji, Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government and Public Works and Mazowe Central legislator, hailed the project as a human-centred initiative prioritising citizens’ welfare.
“This is a flagship project that seeks to restore dignity to our people through access to basic services,” he stated, ensuring oversight for accountability and timely completion.
The project will also incorporate the installation of prepaid water meters in approximately 350 000 households in the city, extending to other areas within the Greater Harare Metropolitan Province.
Online Reporter