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Precious Manomano
Herald Reporter
The Government is targeting to drill 150 boreholes per week under the Presidential Rural Development Programme to alleviate water challenges in 635 critical wards across the country.
The 150 deep boreholes are expected to be drilled by the end of September.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and private contractors are expected to deploy 60 rigs to the affected areas.
A report released by the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development indicated that 30 boreholes will be drilled every week in 63 wards in Mashonaland Central.
In Mashonaland East and West, each province has 30 critical wards, with 10 boreholes set to be drilled in each province per week.
In Manicaland, 25 boreholes will be drilled per week in the 88 critical wards.
Midlands needs 15 boreholes per week in 125 critical wards, while Masvingo needs 15 boreholes per week in 36 critical wards.
About 167 critical wards have been identified in Matabeleland North where 25 boreholes will be drilled per week in the affected areas, while Matabeleland South will get 20 boreholes drilled per week to solve water challenges in 96 wards.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri said the drilling of boreholes and water troughs will continue to save both people and livestock.
“We have shifted our focus to ensure that rigs are deployed to critical wards to ensure that water is available,” he said.
“We continue to face water challenges as the drought continues to take its toll, particularly for livestock.”
He said the project will allow people to access clean water from solar-powered boreholes so that they start community gardens.
Government has so far drilled 40 000 boreholes under this programme to curb water challenges.
Online Reporter