Lupane, (New Ziana) – The Lupane Local Board requires about US$18,5 million to develop a fully mechanised sewer reticulation system for the Matabeleland North provincial capital, with local authorities now pursuing a lower-cost phased approach due to funding constraints.
Lupane Local Board chairperson, Tandolwenkosi Nyoni said the absence of a comprehensive sewer network remained one of the biggest infrastructure challenges facing the fast growing town.
He was speaking on the sidelines of a fact-finding tour by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, which was assessing informal and dysfunctional settlements and housing projects in Matabeleland North Province.
“For a proper mechanised sewer system, we need something around US$18.5 million. Our major challenge is funding.
“We have been engaging government and looking for development partners, but for a small town it is difficult to secure a partner willing to fund a project of that magnitude,” said the chairperson.
Nyoni said the local authority had since revised its strategy and opted for a phased approach centred on the construction of sewer stabilisation ponds, which are significantly cheaper than a fully mechanised treatment plant.
“We have since realigned our plans. For starters, we want to construct sewer ponds like those in other towns. They are cheaper and can still provide an effective solution. The budget for that is around US$1 million,” he said.
Nyoni highlighted that the project was expected to be financed through a combination of devolution funds and locally generated revenue over four years.
“In our budget, about 70 percent of the funding is expected to come from devolution, while the remaining 30 percent will be raised from our own resources. It is a project we expect to implement over four years,” he said.
Nyoni said the board’s main sources of income were rentals and land sales, limiting its capacity to finance major infrastructure projects without government support.
Speaking on the same occasion, Lupane Local Board engineer, Phillip Nguni told the parliamentary committee that the town’s infrastructure challenges stem from its relatively recent establishment as the provincial capital.
“Lupane was declared the provincial capital in 1999, while the local board was established in 2007. Since this is a new town, it does not have a sewer reticulation network and sewer treatment plant,” he said.
Nguni said the lack of sewer infrastructure was a critical issue that legislators needed to appreciate as the town continues to expand.
He indicated that government had previously supported the installation of communal septic tank systems, known as Baffled Reactor systems, benefiting 403 properties, including 19 houses for civil servants.
“The 403 properties are now connected to sewer and water supplies, and there is also a road network. We want to thank the government and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for this initiative.
“However, our wish is not only for these 403 properties to benefit, but for the entire town to have proper sewer and water infrastructure as well as a complete road network, “he said.
Nguni said the local authority had already submitted proposals to the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works seeking support to develop modern sewer and water infrastructure befitting the provincial capital.
The committee chairperson, Dr Maxmore Njanji commended the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for promoting orderly urban development and ensuring that human settlements across the country are properly planned and regulated.
“We applaud the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for its efforts in ensuring that human settlements are developed in an orderly and well-planned manner, which is critical for sustainable urban growth and effective service delivery,”he said.
Lupane’s designation as the administrative capital of Matabeleland North has spurred demand for residential, commercial and institutional development, increasing pressure on the town’s basic infrastructure.
Government has in recent years been promoting devolution funding to accelerate infrastructure development in provincial capitals and emerging urban centres, although local authorities say available resources remain inadequate to meet growing demand.
New Ziana
