The organisation will halt its supply of water purification chemicals at the end of March. Unicef has indicated to us that they are ending their programme in March. This means that we have to buy our own water purification chemicals now, said the Bulawayo City Councils Finance Manager, Kempton Ndimande.
Unicef started the programme to help Zimbabwes urban councils at the height of the economic crisis in 2008. Ndimande said the local authoritys work and financial demands had been made light by the organisations donations, but ratepayers who could hardly pay their debts made it difficult for the local authority to deliver the service.
Sources in Gweru confirmed the same development.
This move by Unicef will strain our budget allocation. As it is we are struggling to raise salaries that are a month behind. Because of this we will try to engage the business community to assist in buying chemicals, said the source.
Official communication from UNICEF was not readily available at the time of going to press.
Post published in: News