Peter Tanyanyiwa

Government has provided water pump sets worth over US$9 million to Harare City Council for installation at Warren Control Pump Station the nerve centre of water distribution in the Capital.

This development has been widely welcomed by Harare residents as they are now expecting the water situation to improve.

Speaking upon the arrival of the equipment at Warren Control Station, Local Government and Public Works Minister, July Moyo, said the programme was mooted following President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s visit to Morton Jaffray Water Works.

“The President decided to fund the project so as to improve the water system in Harare. The project was initiated by Harare City Council and later on President Mnangagwa took over after realising the urgency and dire situation that was in the City upon his visit to Morton Jaffray,” he said.

“The president directed that US$9,3 million be urgently allocated for the procurement of this equipment,” he said.

He said five pump-sets at Darwendale Pump Station were damaged and need to be replaced, and only seven out of the 14 are operational at Warren Control.

“The immediate problems included initially the five pump sets and starters located underground within Morton Jaffray premises, which move water from an underground pipeline emanating from Lake Manyame and these had to be replaced.

“The second problem identified was the 14 pump sets and starters at the Warren Control need to be replaced,” he said.

Minister Moyo said the project is expected to be completed within six months.

“The balance of items required for the project have been manufactured and are in transit, and the project duration will be around six months as planned though we put some of the complications being experienced because of COVID-19,” he said.

In his closing remarks, he thanked the President for assisting and ensuring that people have clean and safe water.

“We would like to thank His Excellency the President, for his commitment and urgent directive to have Harare City Council assisted in ensuring that the people have access to a constant supply of clean water,” he said.

Equipment received included 4 x Variable Speed Drive Starters, 15 x 700ml Valves and 24 x 600 mm Valves.