THE Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund (Zimfund) yesterday availed $35,2 million for the urgent water supply and sanitation project Phase II that will be completed this year.
By Victoria Mtomba Business Reporter
Speaking at the launch of the Phase II project, Zimbabwe country office resident representative Mateus Magala said the second phase showed the commitment of the contributing partners that include Australia, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, the African Development Bank and government.
The water supply and sanitation project will receive $19,84 million while energy projects will get $15,42 million.
“It is pleasing to note that these Zimfund second phase projects have been launched following the initial event which took place in December 2011 to kick-start Phase 1 projects. Since then, significant progress has been made and the projects are expected to be completed during 2014,” Magala said. Under phase II of water supply and sanitation the projects will support the restoration and stabilization of water in Chitungwiza, Mutare, Masvingo, Kwekwe and Chegutu.
The emergency power and infrastructure rehabilitation project phase II will target Kwekwe, Gweru, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, Harare and Hwange and five million people were expected to benefit from these projects.
The representative of the donors, Germany ambassador to Zimbabwe Ulrich Klockner, said progress was witnessed in the first phase of the Zimfund projects. Klockner said he visited many cities where mayors urged him to help them address the perennial water challenges.
Zimbabwe’s unsafe drinking water has resulted in the outbreak of cholera and other water borne diseases in some instances. Harare has antiquated water pipes resulting in the capital city losing 60% of its treated water.
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Finance and Economic Development deputy minister Samuel Undenge said Zimfund complemented government efforts by rehabilitating infrastructure in the power and water sectors of the economy. Undenge said the country’s infrastructure had depreciated during the economic decline with some infrastructure having gone for more than a decade without maintenance and rehabilitation.
“We also witnessed numerous transformers for the first phase of the emergency power infrastructure rehabilitation project at some warehouses. This is evidence of the on-going work on the first phase of Zimfund projects. I call upon all stakeholders to ensure smooth execution of the projects by rendering all the requisite support,” he said.
