HARARE City Council has claimed that it is losing millions of dollars in potential revenue through rampant theft of clean water and leakages from its ageing piping system.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
Minutes of the audit committee tabled during last week’s full council meeting showed that the local authority recorded a negative variance of $24 150 627 in potential revenue from water sales.
“The audit manager reported that the audit had seen a decline in water revenue during the period January 2016 to June 2016. A negative variance of $24 150 627 had been recorded during the period under review,” part of the minutes read.
Council stated that revenue collection from water supply in 2016 only increased by 2% from $32,7 million in 2015 to $34,3 million in 2016, adding this was a far cry from the expected cash inflows.
“Non-revenue water had also increased by 52% from 36 million cubic metres during the first half of 2015 to 55 million cubic metres in 2016. This had countered any anticipated increase in water sales,” the committee also heard.
Councillors resolved to overhaul the water distribution network and scale up the installation of prepaid water meters to minimise losses.
Meanwhile, the council human resources and general purpose committee recommended a dress code to instil discipline among its workers and preserve the city’s image.
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Part of the committee’s recommendation read: “The objective of the dress code is to standardise dressing and bringing all employees on a common platform whilst upholding the corporate image. The human capital director accordingly recommended adoption of a dress code.”
The matter was, however, not brought for debate at the full council.
