daniel chigunwe
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
Communities in Goromonzi and Murehwa districts, including those who are directly affected by the construction of Kunzvi Dam are set to benefit from a 500ha irrigation scheme to be established by Government.
Some households from the two districts are being moved from their current homes to safer places, as they pave the way for the construction of the largest dam in Mashonaland East province.
Presently, the Ministry of Public Works has completed the valuation of 64 households that require immediate relocations as they are within the dam footprint, spillway, and quarry area.
Construction of Kunzvi Dam is now at 47 percent complete and water from the dam is set to end Harare’s crisis.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Anxious Masuka yesterday officiated at the inter-ministerial and stakeholder meeting held at the dam site.
Minister Masuka said the dam water will also be used for consumption by the nearby communities.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for reviving all stalled projects across the country as we work towards the attainment of Vision 2030. The President is on record speaking on rural development, which means there should be development in rural areas so that the people in rural setups should also realise Vision 2030.
“When President Mnangagwa came into office, we started to witness a nationwide construction of dams for the benefit of the people. But he said the dam is not the project, but what the water is intended to do. In that regard, for every dam being constructed, people should benefit immensely from the water harvested. The water should bring development to the communities. Income-generating projects should be started.
“So the water that is going to be harvested here at Kunzvi Dam will not only benefit the people from Harare, you shall see that people from here will benefit from commercial fisheries projects, among other initiatives. So as the water is being supplied to Harare, we have some business centres like Majuru where water will be supplied to. Some households along the way will have potable water to drink.
“The community will also have an irrigation scheme and 500 ha of land will be under irrigation. The affected families will also benefit from this scheme so they mustn’t be re-organised far from the dam.”
Speaking at the same event, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi said the province is happy to have such a huge project.
“This is one of many projects which are being spearheaded by President Mnangagwa towards achieving Vision 2030. The province proudly received the initiative of having Kunzvi dam constructed to alleviate water challenges in Harare and surrounding business centres in Mashonaland East province”.
Online Reporter