Story by Tamuka Charakupa
Government has implored local authorities to engage in public-private partnerships (PPPs) to improve water infrastructure, in the wake of water challenges facing most urban communities.
From as early as six in the morning, the desperate hunt for water begins, as women and children clutching water buckets make their way to the only borehole in the area.
For the urban community of Rimuka in Kadoma, every drop counts as the local authority struggles to supply the precious liquid.
“Every day at 6 am I will be in line waiting for my turn to fetch water. This is the only way we can access clean water so we have no option,” said a resident.
“Our council needs to seek private investment into expanding our water supply pipes. We last had water two months ago and with each passing day we fear a disease outbreak,” noted another.
“The solarisation of the borehole has at least increased supply but we appeal to have more of these to ease congestion,” said yet another resident.
After embarking on an assessment tour, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Honourable Marian Chombo rallied local authorities to implement the Call to Action promises, noting the need to harness public-private partnerships towards water infrastructure investments.
“My office is now making follow-ups to the Strategic Masterplans under the Call to Action to ensure service delivery improves. The government is supporting through devolution funds but the onus remains with local authorities to seek public-private partnerships that can invest in areas in which they are having challenges,” she said.
Meanwhile, the government through the Presidential Borehole Programme is also sinking solarised boreholes in urban communities as part of efforts to ensure safe and reliable water provision to residents.
