Staff Reporter
Cabinet yesterday adopted proposals to address Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) issues in Zimbabwe, which were presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes, Honourable Dr Joram McDonald Gumbo.
Addressing the media during a Post Cabinet Media Briefing in Harare yesterday, Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa said the expansion, rehabilitation and maintenance of National WASH infrastructure will be recapitalized and resourced, starting with allocations in the 2022 National Budget.
“Government will ensure that there is WASH-sensitive Spatial Development and Human Settlements in adherence to existing statutes, such as the Regional Town and Country Planning Act, in order to promote the sustainable provision and maintenance of WASH infrastructure,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa went on to say that legislation will be put in place to criminalise the indiscriminate littering common in most urban centres, with deterrent penalties set to be imposed on litter bugs.
“National WASH issues will henceforth be included as a specific task under the Enhanced Committee on Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Management (ECEPDM) chaired by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, in order to accelerate implementation of WASH programmes,” she added.
She said the Committee will look at urban WASH issues to accelerate investments in this area as well as having oversight over WASH programmes in rural areas, whose implementation will remain under the entities currently responsible.
As part of ongoing efforts to provide basic WASH facilities to all segments of the population, 66% of households have now been covered against the National Development Strategy 1 target of 90% coverage.
To date, the Department of WASH Coordination under the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Development has made significant progress towards meeting its targets which include, provision of 35 000 boreholes to 35 000 villages, 9 600 boreholes to 9 600 schools and 3 600 boreholes in each ward for youths.
There is already a Rural Information Centre on WASH issues with details of water, toilets and hygiene issues for each village.
