Maravi

(HERALD) New plans for water

New plans for water
By Takunda Maodza

South Korean companies are interested in rehabilitating Morton Jaffray Waterworks and building a third major supply dam for Harare using the concept of build, operate and transfer.

Under this arrangement, the South Koreans would invest the required capital and operate the works and dam for an agreed number of years, selling water to the city at a price that would cover operational costs and recover the capital plus an agreed profit. Once these capital costs had been recovered, the works and dam would be handed over to the city.

Yesterday, a business delegation from the Republic of Korea, made up of three companies specialising in dam construction, water supply and purification, met Harare town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi.

The delegation, comprising officials from Shinyong Infrastructure Company, GCM Water and Sewerage Engineering Company and SeoKwang Construction, toured Morton Jaffray Waterworks to get first-hand insight into Harare’s water management.

The Koreans expressed interest in resuscitating the entire water management system with particular focus on building the new Kunzvi Dam and repairing of the Morton Jaffray water treatment plant.

In an interview after touring Morton Jaffray, spokesperson for the delegation Mr Steve Jin expressed interest in investing in Harare water.

"We will support Government and the City of Harare to access more purified water," Mr Jin said.

He said they visited Morton Jaffray to get a first-hand view of Harare’s water management and supply system.

"We are quite keen to build Kunzvi Dam and to maintain this facility (Morton Jaffray) if they need technical assistance," Mr Jin said.

He said the tour of Morton Jaffray had provided the delegation with useful information.

Dr Mahachi said council required resources for it to be able to supply water efficiently to residents.

"This (tour) is to show the visitors what we have and where we need some support. I hope these guys will look at their ability to support Government and the city to rehabilitate and to provide an alternative source of water," he said.

He said council would not wait for support from outside.

Dr Mahachi said the South Koreans were interested in the entire water management system.

"They want to resuscitate the entire water system, including Kunzvi Dam and the plant (Morton Jaffray). All things would be worked out and we will come up with a business plan. We need to have a smart partnership."

Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo earlier expressed satisfaction with Korean companies’ suitable technology, experience and expertise for the development of the country.

The minister visited the Republic of Korea recently and met heads of Korean companies and apprised them of the

investment opportunities Zimbabwe has to offer.

The minister’s discussions with the Korean companies focused mainly on investment in water, electricity, infrastructure and rural development.

Minister Chombo said due to urban expansion and industrialisation, the country’s cities and towns were unable to cope with increased demand for water.

He said dams built in the 1950s could not meet demand for water in most urban areas, highlighting the need for the construction of more dams and upgrading of water treatment systems.

Minister Chombo invited Korean companies to invest in dam construction and water supply systems.

He said opportunities existed for Korean companies in the energy sector, citing the shortage of electricity in Zimbabwe and other Sadc countries.

Minister Chombo said the country’s infrastructure had deteriorated and challenged the Koreans to invest in this sector.

"The roads and most buildings are too old to match the level of industrialisation facing the world. Quite a significant number of Zimbabweans live in urban areas but with no decent accommodation of their own. Most local authorities have plenty of land for investors to participate in housing projects," Minister Chombo said, in a report he compiled after his visit.

Among the companies visited by the minister was SeoKwang Development Corporation that specialises in property development.

"The company really wants to invest in housing projects in Zimbabwe, especially high-rise complexes," he said.

Minister Chombo said Korean companies had the right technology, experience, knowledge and expertise to significantly contribute to the development of Zimbabwe, especially in water, infrastructure, hydropower and solar development.

The minister took the opportunity to explain to the Koreans the correct position about the country in terms of its political, social and economic development contrary to false Western media reports.

The Republic of Korea helped Government to build the biodiesel plant in Mount Hampden.

Labels: UTILITIES

posted by MrK @ 2:15 PM