The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporter
Over 100 000 households in Harare will access potable water this year under a borehole-drilling exercise being undertaken by the Government to improve water supplies in the capital.
The Presidential Borehole-Drilling Scheme has been rolled out in Glen View and Chitungwiza, and is set to cover other high-density suburbs such as Rugare, Budiriro, Mufakose, Kuwadzana and Warren Park. In Glen View, which traditionally grapples with waterborne diseases, over 1 000 houses will have running water by month-end, whith an additional 4 000 homes getting connected in the next few months.
The programme is a stopgap measure to provide potable water to urban areas plagued by water shortages while long-term projects such as construction of Kunzvi Dam to decisively deal with the challenge are underway.
Last month, President Mnangagwa commissioned the scheme, which is being undertaken in partnership with Prevail Group of Companies, in Glen View. The company’s chairperson, Mr Paul Tungwarara, said: “We have drilled 100 boreholes in different cities, but for now, we are targeting to complete the whole of Harare as per the President’s vision.
Overally, about 350 boreholes will be drilled this year. The programme, he added, will prioritise old suburbs that do not get water from council.
Each phase is expected to take a month. The entire suburb, said Mr Tungwarara, will be connected to potable water within a few months.
“After Glen View, we will go to Budiriro, Mufakose, Kuwadzana, Warren Park and Rugare, then the project is complete.”
The initiative also seeks to create employment for youths.
