BULAWAYO City Council has set timelines for the establishment of its Water and Sanitation Utility Company before the third quarter of this year, with documents seeking ministerial approval already sent to the Local Government ministry.
As part of the initiative, a high-level delegation, including Local Government ministry officials, in December undertook a learning visit to Lusaka, Zambia.
The visit focused on the operations of the Lusaka Water and Sanitation Company, a successful corporate model similar to the one Bulawayo intends to adopt.
The delegation was led by Local Government and Public Works deputy minister, Albert Mavhunga, and included deputy mayor Edwin Moyo, councillors, and council staff.
The proposed utility is a direct response to persistent water challenges exacerbated by dilapidated infrastructure.
It aligns with a national policy direction advocating for the corporatisation of urban water services and partnerships with the private sector.
The new entity is expected to unlock critical funding, drive institutional reforms, and improve accountability and technical capacity.
According to the latest council minutes, the council submitted the documents seeking approval to set up the company as part of the city’s strategic plan to operationalise the entity.
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“Council’s endorsement and timely submission of these documents would facilitate constructive engagement with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and ensure that the city remained on track to deliver a sustainable and efficient water and sanitation service model,” the minutes read.
“Following several council resolutions to establish a dedicated Bulawayo Water and Sanitation Utility, the city had developed foundational documents necessary for the transition.
“These documents were critical for securing ministerial support and approval, and for guiding the operationalisation of the new utility.”
The document touched on the proposed company’s structure, including organisational, financial, and staffing aspects..
“The city’s legal team was consulting with external legal advisors regarding Ministerial approval requirements,” the minutes read.
“Summary of consultations with key stakeholders...
“Terms of reference for board recruitment support – Scope for engaging an external agency to assist in recruiting the board of directors.”
According to the proposed timelines, the council expects ministerial feedback in the first quarter of this year and begin mobilisation of external funding in the same period, appointment of directors and management in the second quarter and transfer of service delivery and staff members in the third.
