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Bulawayo
business community takes lead to solve water crisis
Tichaona Sibanda, SW Radio Africa
October 31, 2007
http://www.swradioafrica.com/news311007/byowater311007.htm
The
business community in Bulawayo is appealing for more funds for its
planned project to draw water from the Nyamandlovu Aquifer for the
city's high-density suburbs and industries.
Pledges have
already been made to fund the project, but they are not enough for
the mammoth task, whose costs may run up to Z$30 billion, according
to a statement released by the business community.
Much of Bulawayo
has had water shortages for months now and residents and city officials
say large sections in the western suburbs have been virtually dry
for close to two months, because some dams have dried up.
As a result
the Matabeleland Chamber of Industries and the Association of Businesses
in Zimbabwe have embarked on a humanitarian exercise to try and
save the city.
The exercise
involves connecting seventy-seven boreholes from the aquifer area
and directing the water to the high-density areas, as well as drawing
water from the Nyamandlovu dam to supply the city's industries.
'The operation
of boreholes will provide 15 000 litres a day, which represents
over fifty percent of normal requirements. It should be noted that
those less privileged than most of us are spending many hours in
search, and queuing for water. We believe this is within our ability
to alleviate,' said a statement.
But Zapu leader
Paul Siwela who is based in the city was very critical of the government
for doing nothing to solve the water crisis. He said a lot of the
city's industries were relocating to other areas where water
was readily available.
'This
is a mission by Robert Mugabe and his government to cause genocide
in Matabeleland by failing to provide water for the people. We appreciate
what the business community is doing but this is an urgent matter
that should be dealt with by the government,' Siwela said.
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