Weekend Meetings Review – 29/10/2012
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association (BPRA) yesterday (Sunday 28 October 2012) held two
meetings to discuss the water crisis in Bulawayo where some residents revealed that
they were only receiving water for periods of less than an hour each week. The
meetings were held in Mpopoma (ward 9) and Nkulumane (ward 23) where residents
got an opportunity to dialogue with their respective councillors on the current
water situation in the city. Speaking at the meeting held in ward 9, residents
of Matshobane complained that they seldom have water as they are located on
high ground, and often go for as long as one week without water, with the water
only coming for about forty five minutes once a week. They said what made
matters worse was that the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) bowser that brings water
to the area parks in Mpopoma where water supply is stable, further worsening
the plight of Matshobana residents as they have to compete for water with Mpopoma
residents. In Nkulumane, residents similarly said they were going for long
periods without water and called upon BCC to avail water in bowsers to the area
to ensure that residents at least have enough water to meet basic needs.
BCC has previously
acknowledged that areas on higher ground are being affected more by water
shedding due to gravity. Thus while water may be turned on as stipulated in the
city council water shedding timetable, some areas do not receive even a drop of
water by the time water is closed again for the next round of water shedding.
While BPRA is aware that Bulawayo is facing a grave water situation that necessitates
extended water shedding, the association is appalled that the local authority
is not putting any measures in place to ensure that all residential areas get
at least enough to meet basic requirements. As it stands, the rights of
residents to access clean drinking water is being denied in many parts of the
city. BPRA once again calls upon BCC to avail water bowsers in areas on high
ground that are going for water shedding for longer periods than stipulated in
the current water shedding timetable. So far, BPRA is aware that these areas
are found in suburbs such as Njube, Matshobana, Old Magwegwe, Nkulumane 12,
Entumbane, Emganwini and Pumula South.
Regards
Information Department
Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association
Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196
Cell: +263 772 516 729
Twitter: @byopra
Facebook: www.facebook/uhlelo.lwezakhamizi
Blog: bprainfo.blogspot.com
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