GOVERNMENT says it plans to capitalise on the forthcoming water summit and seal long-term public-private sector partnerships for provision of resilient water infrastructure.
BY Phyllis Mbanje
Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere recently said tapping into the private sector would allow accelerated development of water infrastructure, create jobs and huge opportunities for the sector’s downstream and upstream industries.
His sentiments came ahead of the inaugural water resources and infrastructure conference set to be officially opened by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa in Harare tomorrow.
The conference is aimed at identifying investors to develop the country’s water resources and infrastructure.
Several regional and international investors have been invited to the conference where government wants them to partner in the development of 10 water-related projects countrywide.
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Some of the major projects include Musami-Kunzvi Dam (Harare), National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, Muda and Nyatsime-Seke Dams (Chitungwiza) and Kudu-Gokwe Irrigation Scheme.
“The conference marks a turning point in that focus is no longer on the government alone for the provision of capital for water infrastructure development, but on the private sector as well,” Kasukuwere said.
Harare is one of the cities in the country with serious water challenges.
While it requires 1 000 megalitres per day, Morton Jaffray Waterworks has the capacity to produce only 614 megalitres of water per day, while Prince Edward Dam has a capacity to pump 100 megalitres.