Zinwa board chairman Willie Muringani said ZINWA had set aside $33 billion for expenditure this year but escalating costs had left it needing an extra $59,5 billion which residents must provide.
Inflation which which is hovering around 1,000 percent had eaten into ZINWA coffers while the Zimbabwe dollar’s dramatic fall against major currencies such as the United States of America dollar had not helped matters for the council treasury.
Muringani said ZINWA had not yet made a final decision on how to raise the additional money because it was still to consult residents and other stakeholders.
He said ZINWA had for the time being resolved to implement a number of cost-cutting measures including tightening allocations of fuel to staff, recycling of paper and forging of partnerships as well as out-sourcing non-core business and activities.
ZINWA will also step up efforts to collect all outstanding rates, rent and other charges from residents with plans to enforce payment through litigation.
Combined Harare Residents Association spokesman Precious Shumba said ZINWA had failed to provide water to the city and should simply cede the responsibility to people with the capacity to do so.
19.10.2006
0:00
ZINWA needs Z$60 billion
HARARE - The Zimbabwe National Water Authority urgently requires about Z$60 billion to meet cash shortfalls caused by escalating prices of commodities and materials required by the water utility, and the high cost of foreign currency required to pay foreign suppliers of water reticulation chemicals.