Maravi

(HERALD) Ruwa sitting on US$3,5m Govt water facility

Ruwa sitting on US$3,5m Govt water facility
Tuesday, 23 August 2011 02:00
Michael Chideme Municipal Reporter

Ruwa Local Board is sitting on a US$3,5 million Government facility to provide water to its residents because of serious infighting over a tender award.

Ruwa was the biggest beneficiary of the State's US$13,5 million public sector investment programme funding meant for all local authorities when it received US$3,5 million out of the US$3,7 million it requested. The money was deposited with the local authority three months ago.

Instead of channelling the money towards the construction of the Nora Valley water pipeline, council has been investing the funds with local banks.

Council has not disclosed what it used the interest generated from the State funds for.

Ruwa residents are hardest hit by water shortages in Harare Metropolitan province and are forced to endure periods of up to five months without tap water.

It was on the strength of the council's water problems that Government gave it more money compared to councils of similar size.

Recently, Ruwa councillors and management met with Ruwa/Epworth district administrator Mrs Benedicta Mubaiwa to discuss the issue.

Mrs Mubaiwa urged council to urgently proffer the way forward after it emerged that councillors and management were deeply divided over the tender.

There have been accusations that certain councillors and officials were induced to support certain companies to win the tender.

According to available information, councillors disregarded a technical report recommending one company and chose to put the matter to vote, resulting in the company that was not recommended winning the tender.

Moving Water Industries, charging US$3,7 million won the vote by five to four against Waterflow Enterprises which is charging US$2,4 million.

But the council admits that Drawcard, which is charging US$3,4 million had the best design to solve Ruwa's water woes.

Finance director Mrs Fatima Mhiti pleaded with Mrs Mubaiwa to bar the press from reporting the matter after she received numerous reports "of corruption" in the process leading to the tender award.

She said each part claimed to have incriminating evidence against the other.

Mrs Mubaiwa said should the council fail to use the money, Government would have no option but to withdraw it and give it to other councils.

She warned that delays in building the pipeline would put the lives of Ruwa residents in danger, especially with the advent of summer that brings with it such deadly diseases like cholera.

Ruwa board chairman Mr Pinias Mushaya- vanhu apologised for the delays in building the pipeline.

Labels: UTILITIES, WATER

posted by MrK @ 2:44 PM