adminDumisani Nsingo Senior Farming Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) says it is owed more than $50 million by several debtors, a situation which has impacted negatively on its service provision over the years. Zinwa board chairman Mr Michael Ndoro said the organisation’s failure to improve on its revenue collection and the high rate of defaults by public institutions has affected its viability.
“Between Government and local authorities we are owed approximately $55 million dollars but I don’t have figures for irrigators but it should be around half what is owed by Government and local authorities.
“Non-payment on these accounts means delays in service provision in critical areas and drought-prone communities, suspension of key national project completion such as Tokwe-Mukosi and Gwayi-Shangani dams construction and a continuation of arrears in wages for our staff,” Mr Ndoro said.
He said the failure by Government and local authorities to expedite the payment of their debts to Zinwa had resulted in depressed revenue inflows resulting in the water authority’s failure to operate viably and meet its obligations such as the timely payment of salaries, remittance of statutory obligations such as Pay As You Earn, Value Added Tax and National Social Security Authority contributions.
“We have put proposals to Government on how it can settle these arrears and allow Zinwa to fulfil its mandate without a huge burden on the fiscus.
“Local authorities have, for long, been a major cause for concern for us. Most of them owe us quite substantial amounts of money. We have been engaging them to see how they can retire their debt. Some of them have opted to offset theirs using other means and we are still in negotiations with them,” Mr Ndoro said.
Zinwa is also owed substantial sums of money by a number of irrigation schemes in various parts of the country.
“The major problem with farmers is that most of them use water without proper documentation. They must approach their respective catchment offices and sign agreements or get permits from their respective catchment councils.
“They are also required to install meters at their points of extracting water and this will help them control their water consumption.
“In addition, they must also practise water efficient irrigation methods and reduce the amount of water they use on the fields,” Mr Ndoro said.
He said due to the liquidity crunch faced by the country, those in arrears can also approach Zinwa with acceptable payment plans.
“That way we will allow Zinwa to recoup its money while the farmer can go back in the field. It is a win-win situation,” Mr Ndoro said.
Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said his ministry was making efforts to ensure that Zinwa recovers its debts as these were affecting its operations.
“We are making efforts to ensure that it recovers its debts because most of its operations cannot be run without sufficient funds.
“We, therefore, encourage every water user to pay their water bills so that Zinwa can be able to do effective maintenance of its infrastructure as well as buy adequate water treatment chemicals,” he said.
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