COUNCIL WARNED OVER WATER DEAL

BY HELEN KADIRIRE 

HARARE - A councillor has warned the Harare City Council (HCC) to exercise due diligence in its proposed deal with Singapore company, Neoparagon.

The Asian company is set to partner with Harare City in the privatisation of its water department, creating Harare City Water Corporation.

Allan Markham made the observation in a full council meeting, while discussing the appointment of a board of directors for the proposed joint venture.

Markham produced two print-outs of the company’s portfolio which he had downloaded from Neoparagon’s website.

“Your Worship, is this the kind of company that we want to deal with that only has two pages on its website? It is not even giving details of the kind of work they do or any references,” Markham said.

He highlighted that the privatisation of Harare water had fizzled out from discussions, with no correspondence having been availed since the first time it emerged.

Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, however, downplayed the concerns raised, saying CVs had been submitted to the relevant offices for consideration.

“We assure you that council did background checks on Neoparagon and there is nothing to worry about.

“More CVs should be submitted so that we have an array of people to choose from,” Manyenyeni said.

The idea to make Harare Water an independent utility emerged in August after deputy mayor Thomas Muzuva revealed to councillors that HCC will be receiving $2,9 billion funding from the Singapore firm.

He said under the agreement, Noeparagon would assist in the construction and rehabilitation of Kunzvi, Muda and Musami dams, which would provide water supplies to Harare’s growing population.

Muzuva told the meeting that from the profits realised from the new company, council would receive 30 percent for 30 years, while Neoparagon would get the remaining 70 percent.

CREDIT SOURCE: DAILYNEWS