Residents voices - Issue 90
16 April 2013
THE
problems being faced by the residents of Pelandaba West have worsened after the
community consisting of over 100 households had its water disconnected by the
Bulawayo City Council (BCC) over an unpaid water bill, raising fears of disease
outbreaks. The area has no boreholes, and residents are in a dilemma as people
in neighbouring suburbs are reluctant to give them water due to fears that
their monthly consumption will skyrocket leading to untenable bills. Pelandaba
West was constructed recently by Hawkflight Construction and the area has a
bulk water meter under the name of the construction company. The meter, that
supplies all the houses in the area, has accrued a bill of $20 900. Residents
blame BCC and Hawkflight Construction of failing to manage the construction
project well leading to the current problems. While the issue is complicated,
what is clear is that the account that has been disconnected, which belongs to
stand number 1599 Pelandaba West, is under the name of Hawkflight Construction,
which indicates that it is the company that has neglected to settle the bill
leading to water being disconnected.
Problems
in Pelandaba West began in March this year when the residents received uniform
letters from Hawkflight Construction informing them that they had to pay
amounts of $345.95 each or have their water disconnected. At the time, the residents
accused Hawkflight Construction of working in cahoots with uncouth elements in BCC
to fleece them of their hard earned cash. Part of the letter which the
residents received reads: “Please note that your water is billed under a bulk
meter and it has remained unpaid since you took occupation of your house. You
are now required to settle your portion in the amount of $324.95 to avoid
disconnection. This amount is payable to the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), and
the account number is 540159900.” Residents viewed the letter as an anomaly
since they have individual meters in their houses and had been receiving monthly
utility bills from the local authority.
It
has however emerged that the utility bills that the residents had been receiving
from BCC did not include a charge for water consumption. All the while,
Hawkflight Construction was sitting on the areas’ water bill which is charged
through their bulk meter at number 1599. A BCC official yesterday (15 April
2013) confirmed that water in Pelandaba West is supplied through a bulk meter
and explained that the land developer in the area is in charge of the water
until a handover of the project to the local authority.
BPRA
calls upon BCC and Hawkflight construction to ensure that water is reconnected
in Pelandaba West as soon as possible to prevent possible outbreaks of diseases
in the area and as a simple respect of the rights of the residents to access
clean drinking water. The association believes that BCC should take the blame
for what is happening in the area, as it is the mandate of the local authority
to assume an oversight role on the operations of private land developers and ensure
that the interests of residents are protected. It is BPRA’s contention that the
residents should be billed individually as is standard practice to prevent a
similar occurrence in the future.
Regards
Information
Department
Bulawayo Progressive
Residents Association
Bus.
Tel: +263 9 61196
Cell:
+263 772 516 729
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