Kwekwe will also loose revenue that was being generated from the management of sewer and water services. This will prejudice other social and community services that were being funded from the revenue generated from sewer and water management. Infrastructural development will also be stifled as water and service managemement is a major revenue source. Services in other cities have seriously deteriorated since the takeover by ZINWA. Water and sewer services in Harare have seriously dropped to alarming levels. ZINWA lacks the capacity to manage water affairs in Zimbabwe. The parliamentary portfolio committee on local government has also spoken about the incapacity of ZINWA to run water and sewer services on a national scale.
The Association recently convened a national water convention in Masvingo in response to the illegal takeover and the continued deterioration of water and sewer services. The convention elected the National Water Taskforce which has made representations to parliament and cabinet about the state of water services. The Task force is a national initiative advocating for access to clean and safe water in Zimbabwe. The Taskforce was formed against the backdrop of the cabinet decision authorizing the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) to takeover the administration of sewer and water services from local authorities. The Taskforce made the following resolutions:
Water taskforce resolutions
The water taskforce rejects the takeover of sewer and water administration form Urban Local Authorities.
Cabinet should reverse its decision in line with Parliament (house of Assembly and Senate) recommendations.
Continue to push for peaceful boycotts and resistance campaigns.
Lobby local authorities to resist the takeover of sewer and water administration.
The Association continues to lobby parliament and the cabinet of Zimbabwe to seriously consider the impact of the takeover. There is ample evidence that ZINWA has failed to administer effective and transparent and quality water and sewer services. If the government is interested in Zimbabweans continue to receive quality water services the decision must be rescinded. CHRA demands quality and affordable municipal services. – Farai Barnabas Mangodza, CHRA
Post published in: News