Gweru seeks $10m for prepaid water meters

FINANCIAL hamstrung Gweru City Council (GCC) says it needs about $10 million dollars for the installation of prepaid water meters.

The local authority is owed more than $50 million in unpaid rates, by both residents and companies.

In an interview, GCC communications and public relations manager Mr Manford Gambiza said the council was still seeking for funding to roll out the project.

The project has been on hold for the past two years.

“The total cost is estimated at $10 million, for now we are busy looking for funding towards the noble cause as the project requires substantial amount of money,” said Mr Gambiza.

“It is quite a big project, and it needs the council to fully commit to it.”

Mr Gambiza said the city hoped to recover money owed by ratepayers through installation of prepaid meters.

“The city is pinning its hopes on prepaid meters,” he said. “We are hoping this process will help recover the money owed to us by ratepayers.”

Although he could not give specific figures, Mr Gambiza said the council had recovered part of the $50 million owed by residents and companies through payments plans.

“We have also recovered some of the money through payment plans,” he said. “Some residents and some companies have come forward to make payment plans and that has yielded positive results.”

Mr Gambiza urged residents and companies who have not made payment plans to come forward.

“We are also urging those residents and companies who haven’t made payment plans yet, to come forward so we can map the way forward,” he said.

“I believe just like us, they also want what’s best for the city.”

The local authority first mulled the idea of installing prepaid water metres in 2016, but up to now nothing tangible has been put in place.

In Midlands Province, only Kwekwe and Shurugwi have installed prepaid water meters.