Major boost for Mutare water project
BY CLAYTON MASEKESA
MUTARE – The Mutare City Council has signed a water and sanitation partnership deal with a non profit-making Dutch water company – Vitens Evides International (VEI) – that is expected to minimize persistent water woes affecting the city.
The partnership termed, the WaterWorx M.O.A, will run from 2022 to 2026.
In his speech during the signing ceremony at the Council Chambers in Mutare on Wednesday, the Mutare City Council Acting Town Clerk, Blessing Chafesuka, said the partnership will be a vehicle towards ensuring improved water and sanitation services with a bias towards low income customers.
“You are indeed a true partner and we are hopeful that the partnership will enable the city to become the world class city that provides quality service delivery and the prime investment destination by 2030,” said Chafesuka.
“Team Mutare, Let us continue with this momentum and pull in the same direction .Within a short period of time, we will achieve the best results that dignify our urban residents and stakeholders,” said the Acting Town Clerk.
“To VEI, we appreciate the technical and financial support that you have already given us and that which you shall give us in future and we guarantee you the best of results,” Chafesuka said.
Standing in for the Mutare City Council Mayor, Simon Chabuka, the Deputy Mayor, Farai Bhiza, said the partnership will improve service delivery particularly to newly established suburbs.
“I am more than excited today that we are signing the water and sanitation project, which will become the vehicle towards ensuring improved service delivery, water and sanitation projects in our City with particular focus on newly established suburbs Natal, Hillview, Lot 1 of Dora, JM Marange that are yet to have water connection,” said Bhiza.
“With the Christmas Pass- Dangamvura Twin Tanks Clear Water Transmission line almost complete, this is another opportunity for us all to make history and ensure that depressed water supplies in some of the suburbs are addressed,” he said.
“We are indeed happy that you have invested your confidence in us. You are indeed a true partner and we are hopeful that the partnership will enable the city to become the world class city that provides quality service delivery and automatically be the prime investment destination by 2030,” Bhiza said.
The Deputy Mayor said the Mutare City Council was becoming the leading and torch bearer local authority in terms of many facets and implored for the continuous protection of the brand that the city has created.
“Let’s continue with the momentum and pull in the same direction within a short period of time we will achieve the best results that dignify our urban residents and stakeholders. We appreciate the support that you have already given us and that which you shall give us in future and we guarantee you the best results,” he said.
VEI Regional Manager, Emma Lesterhuis, said: “We hope that this deal will introduce a new asset management that will improve the pro-active maintenance and investment planning.”
“This partnership will make an impact and improve service delivery to citizens and ensure that people have access to water and sanitation,” said Lesterhuis.
With the council, government funded and partly AfDB-administered Christmas Pass- Dangamvura Twin Tanks Clear Water Transmission line scheduled for commissioning on or before 15 April 2022, the deal will become a game changer to Mutare residents.
