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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
THE Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) is allocating Harare City Council $2,5 million every month for the procurement of water treatment chemicals.

In an interview yesterday, acting town clerk Eng Hosiah Chisango said the development followed engagement with the RBZ.

The city has frequently experienced water supply challenges due partly to the aged infrastructure and the supply of water treatment chemicals.

“The raw water for Harare requires up to eight chemicals to make it portable and at the current production levels this requires $2,5 million to $2,8 million per month. All the chemicals used at the plant require foreign currency as most of them are imported,” he said.

“Only liquid aluminium sulphate is produced locally, but its key raw materials are imported. The engagements between the City of Harare and the RBZ which led the central bank to commit $2, 5million per month have led to the stabilisation of chemical supplies as our manufacturers and suppliers are now able to access foreign currency timeously.”

Eng Chisango said the city will continue to work with key stakeholders like the RBZ to improve service delivery.

He said the RBZ had also committed to avail foreign currency for the procurement of plant and machinery for the capacitation of the Department of Works.

The department is responsible for road infrastructure, refuse collection, refuse disposal, planning and development control issues.

“Through this facility and assistance, the city has since taken delivery of 10 skip trucks for removal of skip bins at markets and shopping centres. Refuse compactors and tipper trucks have been paid for and delivery is expected within two weeks,” said Eng Chisango.

“This will improve sanitation conditions in the city and is expected to reduce exposure of residents to diseases.”