Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube | Zim GBC News
BULAWAYO — The City of Bulawayo has set in motion a plan to privatize its water and sanitation services, with the aim of establishing a dedicated Water and Sanitation Utility Company by the third quarter of this year.
Documents seeking necessary approval have already been submitted to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, as confirmed by the latest council minutes.
This move is a direct response to the city’s persistent water challenges, which are exacerbated by ageing and dilapidated infrastructure.
The initiative aligns with a national policy direction advocating for the corporatization of urban water services. A high-level delegation, including Deputy Minister of Local Government Albert Mavhunga and Bulawayo’s Deputy Mayor Edwin Moyo, undertook a learning visit to Lusaka, Zambia in December to study the successful model of the Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company.
According to council minutes,
“Council’s endorsement and timely submission of these documents would facilitate constructive engagement with the Ministry… and ensure that the city remained on track to deliver a sustainable and efficient water and sanitation service model.”
The proposed utility is expected to unlock critical funding, drive institutional reforms, and improve technical capacity and accountability. The city’s legal team is currently consulting with external advisors on ministerial approval requirements.
The outlined timeline anticipates ministerial feedback and the start of external funding mobilization in the first quarter, followed by the appointment of directors in the second quarter, with the full transfer of service delivery and staff scheduled for the third.
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