By Delicious Mathuthu
Harare, Zimbabwe – Parliament recently grilled Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Hon. Dr. Anxious Masuka, over the slow pace of the Presidential Rural Borehole Scheme, with only 11% of the 35,000 target achieved so far.
Responding to questions in Parliament, Dr. Masuka said 3 600 boreholes have been drilled, with youths being trained on how to maintain them for sustainability.
“We have drilled approximately 3,600 boreholes. Youths are being trained for technical support, and a GPS (Global Positioning System) system will monitor functionality across villages,” he said
Mbizo Legislator, Honourable Coban Madzivanyika expressed doubt on reaching the target within the articulated timelines.
“With only four years to go, how do you plan to meet the remaining 89%? We need realistic timelines,” he said.
Minister Masuka said the slow progress of the programme was due to underfunding.
“11% reflects the meagre resources allocated by Parliament. We urge Honourable Members to advocate for more funding,” Minister Masuka said.
Proportional representation MP, Honourable Dr. Thokozani Khupe requested a Ministerial Statement detailing borehole distribution in the country and under the programme.
“We need transparency. How many boreholes per province? And how many are dry holes?” she asked.
Dr. Masuka said the government only counts boreholes with water and some areas have challenges of deeper water tables, which also contributes to slowing progress.
“In sandy areas like Gokwe or Nyamandlovu, some rigs must drill over 100 metres. We are using deeper rigs, including ZINWA’s (Zimbabwe National Water Authority) 400-metre-capable equipment,” Minister Masuka said.
