Biti released disbursements totalling over $51,5 million in 3 months

Published: 10 June 2013

Tendai Biti, the Minister of Finance, has made capital disbursements totalling over US$51, 5 million to various critical sectors over the past three months.

In his Treasury State of the Economy Report for March 2013, released on Monday, Minister Biti who is also the MDC Secretary General said disbursements to the water and sanitation sector amounted to US$14,5 million. The bulk of the resources in the water and sanitation sector went towards the payment of outstanding certificates for Tokwe Mukosi Dam which received US$12, 5 million while finishing works on the Mtshabezi pipeline received US$1, 1 million.

The Mtshabezi project is expected to be completed by 24 April 2013.

A total of US$0, 5 million was availed towards borehole rehabilitation for the improvement of water and sanitation in rural communities. This targeted 289 water points in Manicaland and 254 in Mashonaland provinces.

In Beitbridge, the raw water pipeline was 80 percent complete at the start of this year but was, however, damaged by floods and the contractor is carrying out rehabilitation works.

The power line in the border town has been completed and the transformer has been delivered to site. Minister Biti said outstanding works include installation of circuit breakers, metering units and completion of the fourth sedimentation tank. Overall, the Beitbridge project is 78 percent complete.

The Chinhoyi municipality works project includes the rehabilitation of two sewer treatment plants and three pump stations. To date, sewer ponds have been dislodged.

At the Ruwa Local Board, Minister Biti said the pipeline has been completed, including the Goromonzi crossing. The installation of pumps and motors at all the three pump stations, cabling and lighting systems are complete while all works relating to ZESA are complete.

The outstanding works include cabling the transformer to the starters.

In his statement, Minister Biti said while government has been able to mobilise resources from the domestic market towards funding of the Constitutional referendum, government has been forced to forgo timely funding and, hence, implementation of various critical budget programmes, particularly relating to infrastructure and other social services.
- Byo24News

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