News / National
Govt allocates $65 million to local authorities to improve service delivery
07 Jul 2012 at 12:33hrs | Views
Government has allocated $65 million to local authorities throughout the country for water and sewer, infrastructure rehabilitation, road maintenance as well as bridge construction as part of efforts to improve service delivery.
Acting Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Joseph Made disclosed the developments at the launch of the Water Conservation Awareness and Zero Litter Campaign in Harare where he called on treasury to expedite the release of the funds for use by the local authorities.
"The local authorities have been facing challenges lately and require government support. I am happy to report that a $65 million facility has been availed but the timeous disbursement is critical," he said.
The campaign meant to raise awareness on the importance of water conservation and anti-littering was launched in Harare's Budiriro 5, the epicentre of the cholera outbreak that hit the country in 2008.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Douglas Mombeshora pointed out that Zimbabwe cannot continue to have outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, as they can easily be avoided by ensuring that residents have access to clean water.
"We are here for this critical event but we are saying the local authorities should provide enough clean water so that we reduce the outbreaks of water borne diseases," said Dr Mombeshora.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Mrs Florence Nhekairo said the launch of the campaign should mark the beginning of sustainable programmes for the protection of the environment.
Mrs Nhekairo said: "We are saying everyone has the responsibility of protecting the environment."
The launch was necessitated by the deficit in water supply in the capital against an ever increasing demand.
Harare is currently producing 620 mega-litres per day against an estimated demand of 1200 mega-litres.
The indiscriminate dumping of waste is also posing threats to both the environment and public health.
Acting Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Joseph Made disclosed the developments at the launch of the Water Conservation Awareness and Zero Litter Campaign in Harare where he called on treasury to expedite the release of the funds for use by the local authorities.
"The local authorities have been facing challenges lately and require government support. I am happy to report that a $65 million facility has been availed but the timeous disbursement is critical," he said.
The campaign meant to raise awareness on the importance of water conservation and anti-littering was launched in Harare's Budiriro 5, the epicentre of the cholera outbreak that hit the country in 2008.
The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Douglas Mombeshora pointed out that Zimbabwe cannot continue to have outbreaks of diseases such as cholera and typhoid, as they can easily be avoided by ensuring that residents have access to clean water.
"We are here for this critical event but we are saying the local authorities should provide enough clean water so that we reduce the outbreaks of water borne diseases," said Dr Mombeshora.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management, Mrs Florence Nhekairo said the launch of the campaign should mark the beginning of sustainable programmes for the protection of the environment.
Mrs Nhekairo said: "We are saying everyone has the responsibility of protecting the environment."
The launch was necessitated by the deficit in water supply in the capital against an ever increasing demand.
Harare is currently producing 620 mega-litres per day against an estimated demand of 1200 mega-litres.
The indiscriminate dumping of waste is also posing threats to both the environment and public health.
Source - Zbc
