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Prosper Ndlovu Business Editor
CABINET has approved the proposed establishment of a single national authority to buy water treatment chemicals in bulk on behalf of local authorities and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) as part of measures to reduce water charges, which are one of the key cost drivers in the economy.
Water charges alongside labour, power, finance, taxation, transport and trade logistics, have been identified as major cost drivers of the country’s economy resulting in suppressed growth and low domestic industrial competitiveness.
“Cabinet agreed that in order to enjoy economies of scale, water treatment chemicals should be bought in bulk by a single national authority on behalf of local authorities and Zinwa and that the fixed water charges by local authorities should be reviewed downwards in line with the levels charged in regional countries,” reads part of the report derived from the cost driver analysis report issued by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce recently.
Consumers believe the proposal would ease the burden on them once it has been implemented.
“This could be a worthwhile move that will do well for the generality of the population. But government needs to do thorough consultation on this and gather the input of stakeholders,” said Winos Dube, the chairperson of Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura).
Research has found Zimbabwe to be expensive as its fixed water charges in all categories – industrial, commercial and residential were found to be higher even when compared with the regional water constrained countries like Botswana.
The survey noted that in Zimbabwe the fixed water charge was used as a means of raising revenue as opposed to an infrastructure maintenance charge.
Zimbabwe Local Government Association (Zilga) chief executive officer Rodgers Mozhentiy also commended the move.
“I agree that the proposal will be cheaper and probably it would address the issue of availability of chemicals and do away with erratic buying,” he said.
“The most important thing is that when buying products for local authorities, people must be schooled on quality and water integrity system.”
Mozhentiy is the country’s water systems integrity ambassador to Sadc.
It is also envisaged that the new body will curb corrupt elements linked to inflating of prices and fraudulent tendencies in tender processes.
In addition, Cabinet called for stern measures to be taken against entities that discharge raw effluent into water bodies.
The government has also said the proliferation of private water vendors in Harare and other major cities should be regulated and the quality and standard of water delivered for human consumption be assured.
Online Reporter