News / National
Govt urged to enforce the 2011 directive - Water expert
27 Aug 2012 at 12:33hrs | Views
Experts in the water sector have called on government to enforce the 2011 directive for local authorities; to establish separate water accounts so that the resources can be used to upgrade the obsolete infrastructure.
All local authorities in Zimbabwe were issued with a directive by government to establish separate water accounts by January 2011, however this has not been the case as the revenue generated from water is now being used for other council business.
Water expert, Percy Toriro says if local authorities have separate water accounts all revenue accrued can be channelled towards the development of required infrastructure.
He said: "It should not be a directive issued by word of mouth, we should have a policy that compels local authorities to dedicate water revenue for water rehabilitation programmes."
Another expert, Precious Shumba says local authorities will continue to face challenges in the provision of a clean and reliable supply of water for ratepayers as they do not have a huge revenue base for the rehabilitation of infrastructure as well as the procurement of water treatment chemicals.
He noted that a mere directive is not enough as local authorities tend to defy.
Shumba said: "The problems being faced in the capital especially could be a thing of the past. Money from water should be used for water and not salaries period."
The City of Harare is not open with the amount of money generated from water but experts believe this sector accounts for most of the revenue.
They say if all the money is channelled towards water issues some of the challenges being faced in most local authorities especially Harare, could be addressed.
According to a recent report, government needs about US$1 billion for water and sanitation projects including the upgrading of water and sewer infrastructure in cities and towns.
It says, Harare City Council needs US$23,5 million while Bulawayo needs over US$18 million.
All local authorities in Zimbabwe were issued with a directive by government to establish separate water accounts by January 2011, however this has not been the case as the revenue generated from water is now being used for other council business.
Water expert, Percy Toriro says if local authorities have separate water accounts all revenue accrued can be channelled towards the development of required infrastructure.
He said: "It should not be a directive issued by word of mouth, we should have a policy that compels local authorities to dedicate water revenue for water rehabilitation programmes."
Another expert, Precious Shumba says local authorities will continue to face challenges in the provision of a clean and reliable supply of water for ratepayers as they do not have a huge revenue base for the rehabilitation of infrastructure as well as the procurement of water treatment chemicals.
He noted that a mere directive is not enough as local authorities tend to defy.
Shumba said: "The problems being faced in the capital especially could be a thing of the past. Money from water should be used for water and not salaries period."
The City of Harare is not open with the amount of money generated from water but experts believe this sector accounts for most of the revenue.
They say if all the money is channelled towards water issues some of the challenges being faced in most local authorities especially Harare, could be addressed.
According to a recent report, government needs about US$1 billion for water and sanitation projects including the upgrading of water and sewer infrastructure in cities and towns.
It says, Harare City Council needs US$23,5 million while Bulawayo needs over US$18 million.
Source - Zbc
