dyton mupawaenda
Precious Manomano-Herald Reporter.
The Government has set aside $608,3 billion towards construction of additional water bodies and is targeting the completion of ongoing dam projects to resolve water challenges in cities and rural areas.
The fund will help in rehabilitating and maintenance of existing water and sanitation infrastructure capacitation of local authorities, Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and other agencies involved in water resource management.
This will also improve drilling of boreholes to increase access to water and sanitation services in rural areas.
Zimbabweans have welcomed the Government’s decision to focus on improving water supply, saying the initiative will go a long way in alleviating poverty and hunger as more families rely on agriculture for survival.
Mrs Theresa Machonese of Mufakose said dams and boreholes would provide enough water to communities, create jobs and sustain livelihoods.
“Dams present opportunities for tourism, fishing and watering gardens while boreholes can provide safe water for drinking,” she said.
“We are grateful for the Second Republic’s initiatives to uplift people’s standards of living.’’
Mr Patrick Mawire of Warren Park 1 said the fund will help reduce challenges of water borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.
“There was a challenge in cholera outbreaks because of water shortages but now we thank the Government for having a fund which will focus on improving water which is key in reducing disease outbreaks such as cholera. We appeal if they can speed up this initiative to save the majority of people from such diseases,’’ he said.
Mrs Marble Matsikenyeri of Dzivaresekwa Extension indicated that water projects will help the majority to do fishing business.
“We have victims of gender-based violence, these are the ones who rely on their husbands for survival. If you are self-employed you will not get into such troubles. These dams will help to stabilise marriages,’’ she said.
Most suburbs in the cities have been facing water challenges shortages for several years resulting in fuelling diarrhoeal disease outbreaks.
In a recent interview, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said Government was focusing on completing two large dams, Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi to ensure that people get water for domestic use and irrigation purposes in cities.
The rolling out of dam construction projects countrywide will boost agricultural production, provide potable water, install mini-hydro power projects and harness existing water bodies as the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa seeks to revolutionise agriculture.
Online Reporter