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Midlands Correspondent
OVER 8 000 villagers in Lower Gweru and Chiwundura areas now have access to piped water following the resuscitation of two major water projects by Vungu Rural District Council and unicef.

Vungu RDC chief executive Mr Alex Magura said in an interview recently that his council and its partner, unicef’s Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) programme, had resuscitated Shagari and Mlezu piped water schemes at a cost of $30 000. Mr Magura said water taps had been installed in villages in Lower Gweru and Chiwundura areas, giving villagers access to clean piped water for domestic use.

“This year we managed to resuscitate two major piped water projects, namely Shagari and Mlezu in Lower Gweru and Chiwundura areas. The resuscitation of the piped water schemes has resulted in villagers having access to piped water, which they get from water taps that were put up in the two areas,” he said.

Mr Magura said the Shagari and Mlezu piped water projects were now serving the rural community with a combined population of over 8 000 villagers.

“The two water projects were funded to the tune of $30 000 and this was the major highlight for our council this year because these pipes last had running water some 20 years back. But now villagers can now walk short distances to open the water taps and get running water, which is safe for consumption,” said Mr Magura.

He applauded the support that council got through the WASH programme.

“We did not do the project alone. We received technical assistance from unicef under the rural WASH programme. We have improved communities in Lower Gweru and Chiwundura in terms of access to clean water and improved sanitation. It is our hope that this will also transform communities through elimination of diseases caused by unsafe water.,” said Mr Magura.

Mr Magura said the rural council had also graded 411 kilometres of road in various parts of the district.

“We have so far graded 411 kilometres of roads against a target of 520 kilometres in areas such as Somabhula and Chiwundura,” he said.