In the National Water Policy, the Ministry of Water Resources Development and Management said that within five years ZINWA would focus on its core functions of planning, developing and managing the country’s water resources in accordance with the provisions of the Water Act of 1998.
The government said it wanted to revitalise agriculture and needed an agency to manage the country’s water resources.
“It is vital that the primary function of ZINWA be urgently restored,” the policy document says. “At the end of the five year recovery period, ZINWA’s functions will be clearly split into two.” ZINWA has been heavily criticised for its inefficiency. According to the document, the treated water supply function will be addressed through the creation of a National Water Supply and Sanitation Services Utility.
“This will be in line with the original thinking at the time ZINWA was formed,” the document explains. However, the government said that in order to avoid disruptions during the recovery period, ZINWA would continue to provide portable water services to government institutions and local authorities.
The Minister of Water Resources and Management Samuel Sipepa Nkomo revealed to the media in February that ZINWA was in the process of handing back water and sewer infrastructure to municipalities such as Gwanda, Beitbridge and Plumtree.
He said in order for a municipality to qualify for a handover of the water and sewer reticulation, it should have a proper billing system and have an ability to demonstrate revenue collection.
During its management of Harare water, ZINWA was accused of failing to properly manage water supplies and sewer reticulation. In terms of the Water Act, the authority is obliged to assist the government with matters pertaining to the development, exploitation, protection and conservation of water resources.
ZINWA’s operations are always under the spotlight because of the organisation’s importance to Zimbabwe’s agro-based economy.
Post published in: News