Own Correspondent|Bulawayo Mayor His Worship Solomon Madlala Mguni has called upon the Members of Parliament to reject the 2020 budget if it does not spell out how the more than 100 years old Zambezi-Water project is going to be achieved. We are in this together.”
In April this year Government gave back ownership of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) to Matabeleland Collective (MC) and its technical partner, the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust (MZWT).
In a passionate plea on Facebook Mguni said, “We appeal to all our Members of Parliament of Zimbabwe, (National Assembly and Senate) from Matabeleland region, not to pass the 2020 National Budget if it does not speak to the long-awaited Gwayi-Tshangani Dam and/or the Matabeleland -Zambezi Water project that has been on the cards since 1924. Time to unite. Water crisis knows no political affiliation.
The government took over the MZWP from the Dumiso Dabengwa-led MZWT in 2012 in line with a Cabinet decision made in 2004. However, former Harare Mayor Ben Manyenyeni said the demand by Harare and Bulawayo for a water solution was wrongly timed.
Read his response to Mguni below:
Fantastic call Mayor, but the timing could have been co-ordinated better! If the 2 major hubs are going to demand the same big-ticket thing same time what are the realistic chances especially for a choked government.
If Harare and Bulawayo are going to cry for the same costly water solutions same budget three days apart are we expecting Finance Minister Ncube to perform miracles when he has battled with standard stuff?
I would beg the 2 metros to be more national in outlook even if one has to lose out. What’s Bulawayo’s next big item on the wish list and what’s Harare’s?
If the two metro cities are likely to choke the Minister do a tripartite – sit under a tree and share the spoils depending on collective affordability. If Bulawayo is going to demand big-capex then Harare must go for lower option eg $100m to $200m pipe replacement or pollution control.
Your Worship – a WhatsApp chat with Mayor Gomba can package something which you BOTH can inbox Minister Ncube. Because quite frankly neither of you Metro Cities is asking for mere taps and gate-valves.