1 000 Chivi families benefit from solar-piped water project

OVER 1 000 rural households in Chivi District have received a major boost after Government partnered World Vision to roll-out a piped water project worth about $100 000.

The project is expected to see rural households in the Shindi and Vuranda areas in the droughtprone district having reliable access to potable water.

Chivi District Administrator Mr Vafios Hlavati yesterday said Chivi Rural District Council also contributed funds for the piped-water project, with USAID contributing a lion’s share through World Vision.

“USAID has so far availed $65 000 for the solar-powered piped water project that will benefit 500 families in the Vuranda area of Chivi, but all in all, 804 families in the two wards (Vuranda and Shindi),’’ said Mr Hlavati said.

Mr Hlavati said Chivi RDC was committed to embracing projects that uplift the lives of marginalised people in rural areas. He said the time of giving lip-service to developmental issues was gone.

“‘It’s high time we walk the talk when it comes to development issues, we no longer want projects that remain pipe dreams,’’ Mr Hlavati added.

The Chivi RDC hailed the partnership between Government and its developmental partners, which he said should be replicated in other parts of the country to engender socio-economic development.

Chivi RDC was planning to expand the solar-piped water project to other wards in the district covering villagers in areas such as Shindi, Tagu, Tarusenga and Chikwiriro.

Mr Hlavati said provision of piped water across rural communities in Chivi would improve living standards of villagers, most of whom struggle to access potable water in the predominantly semiarid district.