The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is in the process of engaging farmers in a bid to recover $20 million that it is owed through the use of water for commercial purposes, it has been learnt.
Zinwa’s public relations manager Marjorie Munyonga said the money has been owing since 2009 when the country adopted the multi-currency regime.
Munyonga said farmers should pay for any amount of water used for commercial purposes such as irrigation for crops as this was supported by the law.
“We are engaging some of the farmers to pay the money owed through payment plans. But for some of the farmers, we will take legal action,” said Munyonga. “Water is not for free especially for commercial purposes.”
She said the company was looking for strategic partners for its commercialisation programme later this year.
The authority plans to engage in water bottling, fisheries and tourism through the commercialisation process. Munyonga said there was scope in commercialising some of its operations as evidenced by companies that were making a fortune out of bottling water.
Munyonga said the setting- up of a bottling plant in Mutare was at an advanced stage.
