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NewsDay

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Govt admits failure over water woes

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THE government has admitted failure in addressing the perennial water shortages that have hit the country in the last few years.

THE government has admitted failure in addressing the perennial water shortages that have hit the country in the last few years and is engaging water suppliers to regularise their boreholes.

STAFF REPORTER

Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Water Resources Development and Management minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said government and Harare City Council have failed to deal with the water issue and stakeholders were free to come in and assist.

“I partly agree with you (that government has failed) as you can see both government and the city which is an agent of government, have failed to provide water of good quality,” he said.

“Everyone knows that and in the meantime the private players have come in and are praying that (Harare City Council’s director of water Christopher) Zvobgo continues to fail so that they remain in business. I can understand that there is water shortage and consumers are buying water from these companies to supplement the lack of water from City of Harare.”

Nkomo added: “While this is happening, there is need for compliance by all bulk water delivery companies to regularise their activities with Zinwa (Zimbabwe National Water Authority).”

He said the government should see to it that the boreholes provide clean water to the people.

The minister attacked private bulk water suppliers of drawing large quantities from the ground, thereby affecting their neighbours’ borehole levels.