MATABELELAND North Provincial Councillors have expressed satisfaction with the water and sewer reticulation project being undertaken by the Hwange Local Board (HLB) at Empumalanga Phase Four residential area.
Speaking after touring Empumalanga Phase Four Stage II Housing Project, Matabeleland North Provincial Devolution Councillor Charles Ncube, who was accompanied by another Provincial Devolution Councillor, Chiratidzo Mudenda commended the local authority for the work it has done towards the installation of sewer and water reticulation in the area.
The visit by the two provincial leaders follows an outcry from some residents who are saying servicing of the area has taken too long.
“As leaders we sat and approached the HLB management and what we have seen today is that the local authority has covered significant ground using its own resources. More than 50 percent of houses are now connected to water,” said Clr Ncube.
The servicing of Phase Four stage II is a long-standing legacy issue date backing to 2009, when the local authority’s previous administration engaged a contractor who somehow failed to service the residential stands.
Through the intervention of the new administration, servicing resumed last year with the project being funded from the local authority’s coffers. However, the completion of the project was delayed owing to Covid-19 induced national lockdowns and presence of a rock outcrop in the area.
“Some areas are rocky and they are putting steel pipes and they say they will be done in three months from now. From what we have seen I think this is achievable,” said Clr Ncube.
The local authority has since invited tenders for the procurement of steel pipes to be used for water reticulation purposes. To date over 300 houses and residential stands out of 548 have been connected to the water system.
Clr Mudenda also praised the local authority’s ability to undertake the project using its little resources adding that residents should also complement its efforts.
“I must commend Council for doing a great job at Phase Four but there’s a need for residents to effectively complement its efforts by timeously paying rates,” she said.
Adding that: “It’s really heart rendering for people to live in an area without water and sewer. People should understand that this is a capital extensive project, which requires significant amount of resources and bear with Council.” Provincial Councillors commend HLB.
