Africa-Press – Mozambique. The water crisis in Gurue has been going on for three weeks now. The population is turning to alternative sources and to rivers for water for consumption and hygiene, at a time when hand-washing is deemed essential.
Vila Autarquica de Gurue has long been struggling with water supply problems, even in a town privileged in matters of access to water resources.
It so happens that the only water supply system in Gurue is old. It was built in colonial times, and the government did not maintain it to the necessary standards. Little by little, the water supply system has degraded, reducing capacity. It has now reached a stage of complete deterioration.
Aguas do Gurue director Ernesto Joaquim says that there is light at the end of the tunnel, but only with the complete rehabilitation of the system.
“Teams from the Water and Sanitation Infrastructure Administration (AIAS) are already arriving from Maputo. The inspector has already been on site, and later on, we think there will be some progress. They will fully rehabilitate the venture. We will also focus on the water main, where there is a problem which is affecting supply right now,” he said, adding that, of some 2,400 connections, less than 50% of consumers are getting supplies.
Gurue has 23 districts, and most residents use wells to obtain water.
In May 2020, Zambezia’s Secretary of State, Judite Mussácula, laid the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of that system, in an investment worth more than 274 million meticais in funds from the Mozambican government. It was a moment of celebration for the population, convinced that problems accessing water would soon be a thing of the past. Completion was in fact scheduled for May this year, but work has yet to start.
“In fact, we had hope when the foundation stone for the rehabilitation of the system was laid,” said resident Florência Rosário, fetching water from one of the springs in Gurue. “But today, we are still in a dire situation. We asked the government to help us solve the problem. People have to rise early to fetch water. This water shortage deprives us of our dignity as human beings.”
Physical distancing is not observed and the danger of Covid-19 contamination is self-evident.
‘O País’ tried to interview the local mayor, José Aniceto, but he was absent. Over the phone, Aniceto said that the problem solution would soon be solved.
District administrator Elsa Fortes acknowledges the difficulties that the population faces.
“We believe that those who manage the country’s water systems are thinking seriously about the population of Gurue, and that the answer will urgently come to comfort the families. As the district government, we have been working with the Municipal Council to find the necessary alternatives. We have already requested support from FIPAG in Mocuba in the redirecting of some mains for remedial purposes. We repair one problem, but then another part of the water supply system breaks down, and this has been happening again and again,” she said.
By
Jorge Marcos
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