Zim Independent 7 September 2007
Orirando Manwere
THE Zanu PF-dominated parliamentary portfolio committee on Local
Government, Public Works and Urban Development still maintains that the
takeover of water and sewer reticulation services in urban centres by the
Zimbabwe National Water Authority was not in the best interests of residents
as the purported consultation was confined to government circles.
Committee chairperson Margaret Zinyemba (Zanu PF) told parliament on
Wednesday that although her committee had given in to the cabinet directive,
the committee still stood by its ealier position that the takeover was
ill-timed and was not reflective of the view of the majority of the people
and other stakeholders in urban centres.
She was moving a motion to withdraw the debate on the Zinwa takeover
from the order paper following a response to the committee’s second report
by Water Resources and Infrastructural Development minister Munacho Muteza
last week.
“Following minister Mutezo’s response to my committee’s second report
last week, it appears there is no going back on the takeover of water and
sewerage reticulation services in cities and towns by Zinwa.
“However, I would like to point out that the decision is not in the
best interests of the public as water shortages and sewer bursts have become
the norm in residential suburbs. The situation is critical and it’s posing a
danger to our lives. There is an urgent need for Zinwa to correct the
situation,” she said.
Zinyemba, whose address was interrupted by loud applause from members
from either side of the House, said her committee had established that
consultations on the takeover were limited to government officials only.
She said it was the committee’s view that the earlier decision to
decentralise the services to local authorities was the best and should have
been upheld.
Zinyemba challenged the responsible ministry and Zinwa to deliver the
expected quality service to residents as a matter of urgency as the
situation was worsening by the day.
“The minister indicated in his response that the process of
rehabilitating infrastructure in all towns and cities would take long and
that Zinwa needed huge financial backing from government.
“We urge government to urgently provide the necessary funds so that
the problem of sewer bursts and water supplies are addressed as a matter of
urgency,” said Zinyemba.
Earlier Bulawayo South legislator David Coltart had urged the House to
lobby the government to treat the Bulawayo water crisis with urgency as the
city was facing a disaster.
He said the proposed Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline link, considered
the mid-term solution to the city’s water crisis, was taking too long to be
implemented.
Coltart told the House that he had learnt from stakeholders in the
city that a local company contacted to manufacture the required pipes would
accomplish the task in two years while a huge amount of foreign currency was
required to import critical components.