News / Regional
Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline to be completed before December
26 Aug 2012 at 09:54hrs | Views
Water Resources Management and Development minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo on Friday told the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) that the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane pipeline is likely to be completed before December and the only way to address the water crisis in the city is by adopting a more stringent water shedding regime.
Recently, Nkomo said the pipeline project - regarded as a short term solution to Bulawayo's water problems - was likely to be complete next month.
However, yesterday, he told an emergency water crisis committee meeting in Bulawayo that this would no longer be possible because of delays by the State Procurement Board to approve the purchase of certain materials needed in the project.
Nkomo said the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane link would be completed before the Lower Ncema is decommissioned.
"I will take advantage of the decommissioning of the dams to prioritise the completion of Mtshabezi pipeline," he said. "We expect to receive the power generator on September 14 to use in case power connection delays and even when there is power switch off. Mtshabezi is no longer a long term solution but we already have it."
Nkomo said government has no money for the Insiza duplicate pipeline.
The local authority had indicated the project, whose estimated cost is $27 million would add an extra 25 megalitres of water per day to the city. .
"Government is doing nothing about the Insiza pipeline," he said. "We have no money. Out of every $100 we get from tax, $73 is paid to civil servants as salaries. But I have asked our friends from other countries to help us. I will be meeting the ambassadors next Thursday to plead with them to help us in this project."
The city council will extend water shedding to three days with effect from Monday.
Recently, Nkomo said the pipeline project - regarded as a short term solution to Bulawayo's water problems - was likely to be complete next month.
However, yesterday, he told an emergency water crisis committee meeting in Bulawayo that this would no longer be possible because of delays by the State Procurement Board to approve the purchase of certain materials needed in the project.
Nkomo said the Mtshabezi-Umzingwane link would be completed before the Lower Ncema is decommissioned.
"I will take advantage of the decommissioning of the dams to prioritise the completion of Mtshabezi pipeline," he said. "We expect to receive the power generator on September 14 to use in case power connection delays and even when there is power switch off. Mtshabezi is no longer a long term solution but we already have it."
Nkomo said government has no money for the Insiza duplicate pipeline.
The local authority had indicated the project, whose estimated cost is $27 million would add an extra 25 megalitres of water per day to the city. .
"Government is doing nothing about the Insiza pipeline," he said. "We have no money. Out of every $100 we get from tax, $73 is paid to civil servants as salaries. But I have asked our friends from other countries to help us. I will be meeting the ambassadors next Thursday to plead with them to help us in this project."
The city council will extend water shedding to three days with effect from Monday.
Source - Newsday
