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| Bulawayo is facing a debilitating water crisis while the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP), which is touted as as lasting solution to Matabeleland's water problems remains a pipe dream |
RESIDENTS of Bulawayo
and surrounding areas have called upon the Finance Ministry to avail funds for the completion
of outstanding projects in the region. The residents were making contributions
at a 2013 budget consultative meeting hosted by the Parliamentary Portfolio
Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment at the Small City Hall in Bulawayo
last week. The residents called for allocation of funds for the completion of
the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP), Nkayi Road and the Joshua
Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport. These calls come at a time when Bulawayo
is facing a debilitating water crisis characterised by official water shedding
for 72 hours a week in all residential areas while some suburbs such as
Old Magwegwe, Emganwini, Mpopoma and
Njube go for longer periods without water. It is also a time when construction
at the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo has been ongoing for several years while air
travellers use a hangar that was converted into a temporary checking point ages
ago.
Residents said it was
time the government completed the projects in the interest of the welfare of
the people of Bulawayo and Matabeleland. They argued that the MZWP was the only
solution to the water woes facing Bulawayo while completion of the airport was
necessary as it was the gateway to the city and essential for economic activity
as it would facilitate travel into the city by potential investors. Other
issues that were raised by residents included the need for the government to
allocate adequate funds to the health, education, mining and agricultural
sectors as they are central to improving economic development in the country
and addressing unemployment.
Activists in
Matabeleland have for a long time argued that the region was marginalised by
the government. A plethora of projects initiated by the government remain
incomplete in the region. These include the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International
Airport, Nkayi Road, the National University of Science and Technology (NUST),
the MZWP and Lupane State University (LSU). The region has also been gravely
affected by rapid de-industrialisation characterised by closure of companies
and laying off of workers. The government has been accused of lacking political
will towards addressing all these issues.
Regards
Information Department
Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association
Bus. Tel: +263 9 61196
Cell: +263 772 516 729
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