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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged support to the Bulawayo City Council and its residents to tackle various challenges, particularly the severe water crisis gripping the city.
Bulawayo mayor David Coltart made an appeal for assistance from UNDP during a recent meeting, highlighting the urgent need to address the critical water shortage and other pressing issues facing the city.Speaking during a panel discussion titled “Strengthening UNDP and Government of Zimbabwe Partnerships” in uMzingwane, Matabeleland South, Coltart underscored the gravity of the water crisis, revealing that the city’s current water level stands at a mere 35%.
“Our first priority is to address the water crisis through short-term measures to enhance the capacity of our existing water resources,” Coltart emphasized.
He also outlined challenges related to sanitation, citing issues with sewage ponds operating at only 20% capacity and a significant litter problem. Coltart highlighted efforts to establish a waste management system and rehabilitate sewage ponds to tackle these issues effectively.
Coltart further addressed the economic impact of deindustrialization on the city, noting the closure of large factories and the subsequent shift of workers to the informal sector, particularly affecting women.
Responding to the city’s plea for assistance, UNDP Zimbabwe resident representative Ayodele Odusola pledged partnership in addressing these challenges, emphasizing the need to transition people from the informal to the formal market. He highlighted the importance of creating conducive environments with essential amenities such as electricity, water, and sanitation facilities.
We are committed to working closely with the local authorities to achieve sustainable development goals,” Odusola affirmed.
Odusola also revealed that UNDP had completed the construction of two dams, including Wanezi Dam in Insiza district, with plans to build seven more by the end of the year. These initiatives aim to mitigate the effects of climate change and support local communities in adapting to environmental challenges.
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