Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
GOKWE and 13 other small towns have revamped their sewer and water reticulation systems through a $33 million water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) programme.
Through the project, Gokwe has averted a water crisis after a non-governmental organisation Africare, an implementing partner of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), bought six new water pumps and rehabilitated the towns’ sewer network to the tune of $280,000 in the past year.
Other towns that benefited from the programme include Gwanda, Plumtree, Chivhu, Mutoko, Shurugwi, Mberengwa, Rusape, Chipinge and Zvishavane.
Ziggy Kugedera, Africare health coordinator, told The Chronicle in Gokwe last week that there has been an improvement in water supplies in residential areas and the central business district.
He said a pump house for water treatment would soon be constructed.
“We have also installed software at the council new town house to improve revenue collection,” Kugedera said.
Town secretary Melania Mandeya said the days of resorting to fetching water from shallow wells, under bridges and broken water pipes by residents which also exposed them to health hazards were now a thing of the past.
Residents of Mapfungautsi, Nyaradza, and Sasame high density suburbs used to wake up at midnight daily to queue at a few water taps while others resorted to digging shallow wells.
Relatives of patients admitted to Gokwe District Hospital were asked to bring water as the hospital’s taps were always dry.
Mandeya said: “UNICEF bought six water pumps for Gokwe town under the small towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Programme and we are very grateful for the gesture.”
She said council had also moved into the new $69,000 town house constructed at the town centre.
Mandeya said the town house which has offices and a revenue hall was constructed using council funds.
Town council chairperson Councillor Ester Senga said the local authority had met its 2015 goals which included buying a $42,000 fire engine.
“We are now starting new projects for the year which include the construction of a stadium and a primary school at Nyaradza Ward 2.”