Story by Tichaona Kurewa
WATER woes facing the City of Victoria Falls are set to end, thanks to devolution funds that have enabled the city to channel its resources to other critical projects such as water reservoirs and capital equipment.
Like the Gwayi-Shangani Lake which has been on the cards for decades without implementation only for the plan to be executed by the Second Republic, the Mkhosana reservoir in Victoria Falls is in the same category.
Through devolution funds availed by the Second Republic, the Victoria Falls City Council has been capacitated to focus on critical projects such as the water reservoir.
This move has been met with excitement in Mkhosana and Mfelandowonye high-density suburbs, which are set to benefit through uninterrupted water supply.
“Water was a challenge this side, but we are grateful that additional takes tanks are being contracted in Mkhosana. This should be a panacea to our water woes. We urge the contractor to expedite the completion of the project,” said a resident.
“Our water challenges will soon be over; we thank the council for this. We are now employed, and we are grateful.
This has transformed our lives, noted another,” noted another.
The local authority explained the scope of work with the project expected to be completed by February next year.
“This project must be complete by February 2024. It has phase one, which is reconfiguration and upgrading of aerodrome reservoirs, phase two which is the current phase which is the construction of Mkhosana five megalitre ground and 0.75ml elevated reservoirs and pump station as well phase three which involves the laying of 3.5km pumping mains,” said Victoria Falls City Council Town Clerk, Mr Ronnie Dube.
“This is a direct response to the growth of the town as corresponding infrastructure needs to be built. This project, which is being implemented in phases has a budget of US$18 million, some of which will be funded by the government. On these reservoirs which can supply water to the city for three days without additional pumping into them, the council is going it alone,” noted Victoria Falls City Council, Engineer Sherinah Sibanda.
The local authority also commissioned a new refuse truck over and above the reservoir project which has also become a source of employment for locals.
