The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu
Harare City Council has secured a $20 million grant facility to finance the rehabilitation of water distribution services in Harare, a move that is meant to improve water supply.
The grant is being financed by the Zimbabwe Multi-donor trust fund (Zim Fund) and administered by the African Development (AfDB) Bank.
The project will see the replacement of water pipes around the city, rehabilitation of water pump stations as well purchasing of bulk meters.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has since appointed Crown Agents Limited as its procurement agent with bidding to supply various materials to be used under the project already underway.
In a statement, the procurement agent invited tenders to supply various materials for the project.
“The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe has received a grant from the Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund (Zim-Fund) administered by the African Development Bank (the Bank) to finance the Urgent Water Supply and Sanitation Rehabilitation Project Phase II (UWSSRPII),” the statement said.
“It is intended that part of the proceeds will be applied to eligible payments under Contract Ref UWSSRPII/018: Supply of Equipment for Pressure Regulating Valve (PRV) and Water Meter Chambers in the distribution network of Harare and Related Services.
“The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has appointed Crown Agents Limited (Crown Agents) to act as its Procurement Agent.”
Harare water director, Eng Hosiah Chisango said the objective of the project is to stabilize the water distribution network as well as replacing sewer pipes.
“It is a $20 million grant which seeks to replace about 50 km, which is set to cover at least five suburbs,” he said
“There will also be bulk meters, pressure reducing valves replacement as well as rehabilitation of pumping stations as well as sewage pipes.”
Harare needs at least 900 mega litres of water daily but the local authority is currently pumping 450 mega litres with indications that about 280 litres is lost through damaged underground pipes, leaving residents with only 170 mega litres.
The local authority says about 60 percent of treated water which is lost through leakages siphons the city of potential thousands of dollars.
In 2014, Harare received $19,5 million as part of the Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund Zimfund grant by the African Development Bank (AfDB) for water pipe replacements, acquisition of new water meters and dislodging sewer ponds.
The Zimbabwe Multi-Donor Trust Fund (ZimFund) is a short to medium-term infrastructure development program which supports Zimbabwe’s economic recovery.
It is collaborative effort between members of the international donor community (Australia, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom) and the Government of Zimbabwe.
The Zim-fund, which is being administered under the AfDB, is focusing on projects aimed at rehabilitating critical water, sanitation and power infrastructure in six municipalities (Harare, Chitungwiza, Chegutu, Kwekwe, Masvingo and Mutare) and energy throughout the country.
