Innocent Mujeri
The residents of Mbare are expressing gratitude for the Government's recent water intervention project.
The Government has prioritized Mbare in its Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, leading to the installation of ten additional solar-powered boreholes.
This initiative comes in the wake of years of inadequate service provision by opposition-led councils, resulting in a lack of accessible potable water and subsequent health hazards, including the outbreak of diseases such as cholera.
President Mnangagwa intervened in response to the persisting water crisis in Mbare, directing the drilling of ten more boreholes. This was part of the Government's broader efforts to address water scarcity in the capital city.
Uniquely, this project represents a departure from traditional hand pump boreholes. The newly drilled boreholes are designed to channel water directly into household taps, which is a significant improvement in the area's water supply infrastructure.
Mbare residents, in their discussions with the Harare Post, lauded President Mnangagwa for the critical intervention. They recounted experiences of going for weeks without access to clean water, with the scarcity sometimes leading to disputes over water distribution.
"We would often face up to five days without water. The scarcity of boreholes often resulted in confrontations as people struggled to access a single bucket of water. Now, we finally have peace, and I believe fights over water will become a rarity,” said Gladys Shandirwa of Mbare.
Teresa Gunyere, another resident, expressed that the intervention was long overdue and a welcome relief.
"This is undoubtedly a positive development. The Government should have stepped in sooner, given how often we are taken for granted by opposition leaders,” said Gunyere.
Political commentator, Edwin Muchenje hailed the drilling of the boreholes as a significant milestone.
"The President has done exceptionally well. The new type of boreholes that channel water directly to taps is a huge development. We are all grateful, and given that the system uses solar energy, access to water will be available anytime," said Muchenje.
Meanwhile, ZANU PF Mbare constituency aspiring candidate, Martin Matinyanya asserted the community's commitment to safeguarding the new infrastructure from vandalism, noting that the strategic positioning of the boreholes next to car parks should help ensure their security.
