Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo has expressed doubt over Chitungwiza Municipalitys capacity to manage Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant in the event Harare agrees to cede the plant to the dormitory town soon.
Addressing a Press conference in Harare last Friday, Chombo said while he appreciated the need for Harare to cede the water treatment plant, the handover could only be done as a long-term project.
You need to consider that Chitungwiza owes Harare $8 million. You really need to think about it broadly. If you cant pay $8 million, will you be able to manage the plant? Chombo queried.
He said the Kunzvi Dam project was nearer to Chitungwiza and could be the towns best bet. Last week, Chitungwiza acting town clerk Fungai Mbetsa unveiled a proposal to raise $150 million to take over the treatment plant from Harare and sell some of the excess water to the capital city.
Harare supplies 30 megalitres a day against a demand of 45 megalitres. This means that if Chitungwiza successfully implements its water project, it will have an excess of 55 megalitres, which it can either sell to Harare or Epworth, said Mbetsa.
Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda has already hinted on the possibility of handing over the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant to Chitungwiza. He gave the hint last year when he asked Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to use his influence in government to ensure that government reverses its earlier resolution to take over the construction of Kunzvi Dam.
Water Resources Development and Management minister Sipepa Nkomo last year said the construction of Kunzvi Dam would ensure that dormitory towns such as Chitungwiza, Norton and Ruwa were weaned off Harare.
Harare itself has a serious water deficit and only averages half of its demand pegged at around 1 200 megalitres per day.
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Chombo said they had asked the City of Harare not to cut off Chitungwiza despite its huge debt.
He, however, said Chitungwiza had been directed to present a payment plan through which it would settle the debt.
