Bulawayo Councillor for Ward 22 Rodney Jele says the government is taking too long to respond to calls from the local authority to declare the city’s water situation a national disaster.
In an interview with CITE, Cllr Jele said while the engagement with the government is going on, the city is working on medium term projects to improve water supplies to the city.
These include duplicating water pipes as well as rehabilitating boreholes at the Nyamandlovu aquifer.
The city of Bulawayo is currently under a 120-hour water shedding schedule.
The government recently availed ZWL$10.6 million to the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) to rehabilitate 5 boreholes at the Nyamandlovu aquifer as means to lessen the water crisis.
The local authority, together with Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA), have implored the government to declare the city as a water shortage area.
“The Constitution states that the President and the government are responsible for availing water,” Cllr Jele said. “As you may recall from the previous council meetings, the city council has lobbied the government asking for the city’s water situation to the declared a national disaster.”
“The water crisis in Bulawayo has been there for years. If the government agrees to do this we can be able to source funds through other avenues.”
Cllr Jele said the only feasible long term project that could put to an end the city`s water woes is the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project.
