Source: Nqobani Ndlovu, NewsDay
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) has accused councillors and the government of lacking foresight, saying the prevailing water crisis could have been eased if disaster preparedness mechanisms were in place.
Rodrick Fayayo, the BPRA co-ordinator, accused the government and council of paying lip service to the water crisis in Bulawayo.
“When we talk of the marginalisation of the City of Bulawayo, these are the issues we will be talking about.
“The current water crisis has clearly exposed the government that it has done nothing for Bulawayo. Every year, the city faces water-related problems, but no one in government has bothered to address the situation,” he said.
Fayayo said the current crisis also clearly exposed the local authority’s lack of disaster preparedness mechanisms.
“It seems this crisis has taken the council and government by surprise. We are told we do not have enough rains by end of December, the city will be completely dry, but yet there is deafening silence from officials on what is being done to address the water situation apart from water shedding.”
Fayayo also warned that an outbreak of water-borne diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, in the city was unavoidable unless the water crisis is urgently addressed.
The city is facing a severe water crisis that has seen the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) failing to adhere to water shedding timetables, resulting in some suburbs going for a week without the precious liquid.
BCC has set a 48-hour water shedding regime, which was increased within days to 72 hours per week last week, attracting criticism from residents and councillors, who accuse the council management of implementing it without their input.
The councillors reportedly summoned new town clerk, Christopher Dube and director of engineering services, Simela Dube this week to explain the changes to water rationing timetables.
The council has decommissioned two dams, Upper Ncema and Umzingwane due to low water levels, leaving the city relying on Insiza, Inyankuni, Lower Ncema and Mtshabezi for supplies.
Source: Nqobani Ndlovu, NewsDay