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Ward 1 residents back Glassblock Dam project, demand cost review

Residents of Ward 1 in Bulawayo have endorsed the Glassblock Bopoma Dam project while calling for a more comprehensive financial analysis to minimise costs for the benefit of the city’s residents.

The dam and pipeline project has been identified as a medium-term solution to augment Bulawayo’s water supply.

During a consultation meeting held on Monday at the Small City Hall, a resident identified as Mr Thebe urged the city council officials to negotiate a more favourable deal with its partners.

โ€œI know the city can go back, rather than being strong-armed, and negotiate to cut the price for the benefit of the city,โ€ he said.

Thebe also raised concerns about the future ownership of the dam and pipeline, noting that the project is structured as a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer (BOOT) agreement.

โ€œI want to draw from what youโ€™ve said: itโ€™s a Build, Own, Operate, and Transfer project, but youโ€™ve mentioned a separate agreement between ZINWA and the investors regarding the dam. Obviously, there is a second aspect, which is the pipeline. At the end of the transfer period, will the city receive both the dam and the pipeline, or just the dam?โ€ he asked.

The resident also questioned how this project compares to the proposed duplication of the Insiza pipeline in terms of costs and benefits, and why the city abandoned the latter after initially presenting it as a viable solution.

In response, Bulawayo City Council Principal Engineer Dumani Gwetu explained that the city lacks the financial capacity to fund the Insiza pipeline duplication.

โ€œWhen we assessed the duplication of Insiza, you may recall the option required an investment of US$2 billion. As Bulawayo, we do not have the capacity to raise such an amount,โ€ said Eng. Gwetu.

โ€œThis project was considered because of the availability of private funding. The funding is not coming from the city or its residents but from a private investor willing to develop the dam. If we can secure additional water during times of need, it is better than having nothing,โ€ he added.

Eng. Gwetu further clarified that Bulawayo’s role is limited to purchasing water, with ZINWA managing the infrastructure up to Ncema.

โ€œThe agent in this case is ZINWA. Bulawayo’s involvement is solely to buy water. The infrastructure from the dam to Ncema is ZINWAโ€™s responsibility,โ€ he said.

Eng. Gwetu cited a similar arrangement with the Mtshabezi Dam, which is entirely government-owned and operated by ZINWA.

โ€œFor Mtshabezi, ZINWA runs the pipeline from the dam to Umzingwane, and we purchase water from them. This project will follow a similar arrangement,โ€ he explained.

According to the financial obligations outlined in the agreement, Bulawayo will pay the supplier based on fixed and variable rates for water supplied, with monthly payments required. Unpaid invoices will incur interest, and failure to pay may result in the suspension of water supply.

Regarding water supply and quality, the supplier (ZINWA) has agreed to deliver water subject to payment by the city. However, supply limitations may occur during shortages.

Senzeni Ncube

Senzeni Ncube is an accomplished journalist based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, with seven years of experience in hard news, investigative writing, fact-checking, and a keen focus on social development, mining, elections, and climate change. She has extensive expertise in reporting community service delivery issues, demonstrating a deep understanding of politics, human rights, gender equality, corruption, and healthcare. Additionally, she possesses proficiency in video production and editing and is dedicated to providing high-quality journalism that highlights crucial social matters and amplifies the voices of the community. Senzeni is known for her thought-provoking interviewing skills.

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