MATABELELAND North provincial affairs minister Richard Moyo says government has drilled 72 boreholes in Binga North constituency since last year to avert acute water shortages in the area.
“I confirm that we have drilled about 72 boreholes in Binga North using the two drilling rigs that we (received) from the government. We have done this all with the help from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa),” he said.
Government will soon focus on drilling boreholes in Binga South constituency, according to Moyo.“In Binga South there are very few boreholes. I will engage Zinwa to go and start the drilling process as soon as possible,” Moyo said.Investigations by Southern Eye revealed that the boreholes drilled in Binga North have no pumping systems, making it difficult for the villagers to use them.
Government supplied the rigs ahead of the August 23 harmonised elections. The drilling was, however, abandoned after the elections.Former Binga councillor Themba Munkombwe said government had not fulfilled its promise to equip the boreholes with solar systems.Munkombwe said some of the boreholes, especially in Lusulu, Pashu, Kariyangwe, Muchesu and Lubu were not functioning because they were incomplete.
Former Binga North legislator Prince Sibanda said Binga did not need boreholes because it was a custodian of the country’s largest inland water body, so villagers should be provided with tap water.
The sole supplier of water in Binga town on the shores of Lake Kariba is Zinwa after Binga Rural District Council handed over the water management system to the water authority in 2004.
