Zimbabwe: Residents' Hopes for Tap Water Run Dry - CHITUNGWIZA South MP Misheck Shoko was on Tuesday scheduled to ask Minister of Water Resources Development and Management Sipepa Nkomo to inform parliament when the suburbs of Units O, N, G and M in his constituency would get piped water and to explain the problems being faced. Unfortunately the minister was not present to explain the problems being faced in the area and the country. [AA Urbanisation]

Pretoria - The shortage of water in Africa will form part of key discussions at the week-long African Ministers' Council on Water Summit which kicked off in Johannesburg this morning.

The African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW), the initiator of the Africa Water Week, will focus its attention on establishing a sustainable roadmap on increasing Africa's water supply at the conference.

A reduction in the number of Africans without access to water is yet to be achieved.

AMCOW executive secretary, Bai-Mass Taal, said it was a challenge to reduce the number of Africans that are still living without adequate access to water.

"Our efforts in providing water access to areas in need are fruitful, however, it cannot be seen owing to the ever-increasing African population," said Taal.

Taal stresses the importance and need for Africa Water Week to be able to reach and carry forward the commitments made at African Union (AU) Summit in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, on water and sanitation.

Cameroon: These Hotels Without Water - You may have a different opinion but after paying your hard -earned CFA 10,000 for a hotel room, you discover the unexpected. No water and blurred TV images. The hotel proprietor is evasive and bites his lips as he unconvincingly tries to convince. He shouts at his staff for water to be carried from a nearby public tap. [AA Urbanisation]

Tanzania: Sh16 Billion Water Scheme All Set to Commence - Work on a major water project to cost $12.43 million (about Sh16 billion) is expected to kick off next month. [AA Urbanisation]

Kenya: Board Blamed for Water Shortage in Mombasa - Several Mombasa leaders have demanded the dissolution of the Coast Water Services Board, accusing it of failing to end water shortages. [AA Urbanisation]

Liberia: Jica Constructs 1st Urban Water Center in Monrovia - The Japanese government, through its development agency, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has constructed and handed over to the Liberian government a community water supply system in the Monrovia suburb of Gardnersville. [AA Construction]

Liberia: Pilot Water Project for Residents of Garnersville - President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has dedicated a pilot water project that would supply water to some inhabitants of Gardnersville in Montserrado County. The project, financed by the Government of Japan and implemented by the Japanese International Corporation (JICA), is in response to commitments by the Government of Japan during bilateral talks last year between President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Japanese officials, during a visit by the Liberian leader to Japan. [AA Urbanisation]

Malawi: Questions over Water Stats - A set of new research data contests the Malawian government's claims that nearly all of the country's urban citizens have access to clean water and sanitation. [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: Seventeen Districts to Get Tap Water - THE Government is to construct water supply and sanitation schemes in 17 districts in the region. The project will be funded by a 18.5m euros grant from the Federal Republic of Austria and the European Union, the organisation said in a bid notice. [AA Urbanisation]

South Africa: Residents Fight for More Free Water - HOW much free water can the City of Johannesburg be reasonably expected to provide for poor people? [AA Urbanisation]

Ghana: Minister Intervenes in Protest By Kobriso Residents - THE MINISTER of Environment, Science and Technology, Ms. Sherry Ayittey, has intervened in the impasse between residents of Kobriso community near Ejisu, and the Municipal Assembly, over the release of a parcel of land by the late Ejisuhene, Nana Aboagye Agyei II, to one Dr Alex Osei to put up a mortuary at the source of the Kobri stream, which supplies their drinking water. [AA Urbanisation]

Uganda: City Water Shortage Worsens - THE water shortage reported two weeks ago in Kampala has worsened forcing people to resort to protected wells or springs. [AA Urbanisation]

South Africa: Filthy Water in Informal Settlements Makes Squatters' Lives Hell - Because of the heavy winter rains there are puddles of dirty water in almost every informal settlement in Cape Town. When the sun comes out they drain away. [AA Urbanisation]

Nigeria: Ebonyi Expends N185 Million on Afikpo Water Restoration - Ebonyi state government has provided the sum of N185.2million for the restoration of pipe borne water in the ancient city of Afikpo and its Uwana environs. [AA Urbanisation]

Zimbabwe: Bulawayo's Ticking Health Time Bomb - BULAWAYO is sitting on a health time bomb amid reports that its water treatment plants and sewer systems need urgent rehabilitation. [AA Urbanisation]