THE Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) has threatened to take its anti-prepaid water meter campaign to Gwanda today to lobby residents, councillors and legislators in the Matabeleland South capital to resist introduction of the gadgets.
BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
This follows claims by Bulawayo mayor Martin Moyo that Gwanda residents had accepted the prepaid water meters, resulting in improved revenues for their struggling council.
Gwanda Residents’ Association spokesperson Bekezela Maduma Fuzwayo refuted Moyo’s claims describing them as “lies”.
BPRA co-ordinator Rodrick Fayayo told Southern Eye yesterday that they had joined hands with Gwanda residents to lobby against the pre-paid meters.
Fayayo said the campaigns involved consultative meetings to be held at Jahunda Hall today.
“It is expected that sharing that information will help the Gwanda Residents’ Association better understand the arguments against prepaid water meters, and empower the association to better mobilise residents around the issue,” Fayayo said.
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“A second meeting is planned with councillors and Members of Parliament in Gwanda to lobby them to support the anti-prepaid water meters campaign through sharing with them the research findings, especially on the ills of prepaid water meters and why the concept is ill-conceived in the Zimbabwean context, vis-a-vis the right to water and the need for access to water for all.”
He added: “BPRA believes there is now need for a co-ordinated national effort against prepaid water meters as local authorities across the country are moving towards introduction of the devices with the support of the government despite resistance by the residents.”
Fayayo said a public meeting will be held tomorrow to afford ordinary residents a platform to air their views on the contentious issue.
The local authority argues pre-paid water meters will help deal with problems of estimated meter readings and, above all, force residents to pay for water usage.
But civic groups said the gadgets would lead to water-borne diseases, discriminate against the poor and run against the universal right to water.
