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Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent

REDCLIFF Municipality has shortlisted two companies that are likely to partner the local authority in the construction of a water treatment plant as the council seeks to address perennial water shortages.

The local authority gets water from Kwekwe City Council, but it has been struggling to offset the bill, which has ballooned to $130 million.

In an interview yesterday, Redcliff Town Clerk Mr Gilson Chakauya said they have made inroads in terms of identifying a company to construct the water treatment plant.

Gilson Chakauya

“We have shortlisted two potential partners who are going to help us construct a water treatment plant so that we put an end to this water problem for now. I cannot give you the names of the companies, but we have since submitted the papers to our parent ministry for consideration and approval,” he said.

Mr Chakauya said once approved by Government; the construction work will begin.

“Once approved the company that would have been approved is expected to get on the ground to start work and we are hoping that by end of year we would have made significant strides,” he said.

He said they have also engaged Kwekwe City Council to offset the water bill.

Kwekwe City Council

“We are continuing with discussions with Kwekwe City and we have come up with a payment plan that we are religiously following. Our wish is to be able to clear the balance at the shortest period of time,” said Mr Chakauya.

He said although they have recorded improvements in revenue inflows, there are still some corporates who are yet to settle their outstanding bills.

“We have seen improvements in the way the residents have been paying lately.  We however, continue encouraging residents and corporates alike to ensure that they make their payments in time so that we in turn get to make payments we owe,” he said.

“Once approved, Redcliff will get raw water from Kwekwe which they will then purify and distribute to their residents.”

Redcliff’s water shortages started soon after the closure of Ziscosteel, which used to treat and distribute the resource to the residents.