The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
WORK on the much-anticipated Dangamvura water pipeline that is expected to end perennial water woes in the high-density suburb and its environs is progressing on well, with most of the pipes already laid.
Mutare City Council recently embarked on the project after taking delivery of pipes worth more than US$450 000 from South Africa.
The procurement of the pipes was funded by the African Development Bank under the ZimFund programme.
The project was supposed to have been completed more than 10 years ago, but the local authority was fleeced of US$330 000 by a bogus Harare-based company that failed to deliver the pipes after receiving payment.
The local authority’ spokesperson, Mr Spren Mutiwi said 1 152m out of the 2 040m for GRP pipes have now been laid.
“Laying of the pipes across Sakubva River is now 90 percent complete.
‘‘We plan to have laid all the GRP pipes by end of December this year. An estimated USD$250 000 is still to be raised for the work.
“Provided we raise the required funds and assuming some rain-induced disturbances, the whole project should be commissioned by April 2021.
“So far, more than US$97 000 has been used. We are still upbeat that we will be able to meet our time-frame. We are very excited with the progress and we are frog marching towards retiring the perennial water shortages in Dangamvura.
“The year 2020 should herald a new chapter in Dangamvura. We are pulling in the same direction and our hands are on the deck to complete the long standing issue which stretches more than 15 years,” said Mr Mutiwi.
In an earlier interview, Mutare Town Clerk, Mr Joshua Maligwa said when completed, the Dangamvura water pipeline will be a game-changer.
“That pipeline is the lifeline of our future expansion to the southern side of the city. Dangamvura is another city on its own because it has grown big. If we combine Dangamvura with the extended housing projects that are being done by Mutare Rural District Council, you will see this is now a big suburb. Add to this Fern Valley, the Johanne Marange Housing Project, Natal Construction, and the Manicaland State University. Four housing projects will be serviced by that pipeline via the Dangamvura water reservoir,” said Mr Maligwa.
He said the water pipeline was long overdue.
