Minister Assesses Water Supply Challenges in Bulawayo and Promises Immediate Action
Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr. Anxious Masuka, said that the primary issue facing Bulawayo is not a lack of water but rather the inefficiencies in its conveyance system during an assessment tour of the Mtshabezi, Umzingwane, and Insiza dams on Friday last week
“The current water in the Insiza dam is enough to supply the city of Bulawayo for the next 10 months,” Masuka stated. He noted that Insiza is currently at 38 percent capacity, with a conveyance system that can deliver 45 megalitres per day, slightly below its design capacity of 55 megalitres per day.
Masuka highlighted the critical need for immediate interventions to improve this system. “If we can do the Umzingwane by-pass for Mtshabezi in order to maximise the 17 megalitres that can be provided from there, we can better serve the city’s water needs.”
The Mtshabezi-Mzingwane system is vital for Bulawayo’s water supply, and Masuka emphasized the limitations that hinder its full potential. “Today afforded us an opportunity to see two major supply systems for Bulawayo. The first one was the Mtshabezi-Mzingwane system where we were looking at the limitation to delivering the 17 megalitres that Mtshabezi can provide.”
The Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns about water scarcity in the city, which has struggled with supply issues for years. However, Masuka’s assessment has brought some hope for residents.
Bulawayo’s Mayor, David Coltart, expressed his gratitude for the Minister’s visit and the commitment to address the city’s water crisis. “We are grateful that the Minister has taken time to come and see Mtshabezi and Insiza dams and we are grateful for the undertaking that he has given,” Coltart said. He reiterated the urgency of upgrading the pipeline from Mtshabezi to the Ncema pump station as a short-term solution to the crisis.
Coltart also addressed the bureaucratic delays that have hindered progress in water infrastructure projects. “We are also grateful that the PRAZ processes will be short-circuited because in our experience, that has been delaying the urgent work that needs to be done. We look forward to PRAZ approving what needs to be done.”
Residents of Bulawayo have long faced water shortages, leading to increased pressure on local government and state officials to find immediate solutions. The Minister’s visit and the discussions around enhancing the water supply infrastructure signal a potential shift towards more effective management of the city’s water resources.
As the government works on the proposed upgrades, many in Bulawayo hope these measures will alleviate the chronic water shortages that have plagued the region for years. The commitment to enhancing the conveyance systems and bypassing bureaucratic delays is seen as a crucial step toward securing a more reliable water supply for the city.
The situation remains critical, but with the Minister’s assurances and the Mayor’s proactive approach, there is cautious optimism that Bulawayo may soon see improvements in its water supply systems.
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