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Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has dispelled fears that the setting up of a US$1 billion cement plant in Magunje by private investors will lead to the pollution of Kemureza Dam.
ZINWA waded into the issue this week as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) consultations on the setting up of the cement plant by Labenmon Investments (Pvt) Ltd and West International Holdings, continue.
The parastatal manages Kemureza Dam which is located close to the project’s site.
The dam supplies potable water to over 10 000 people, including the army’s 2.3 Infantry Battalion.
ZINWA was among stakeholders that attended an EIA consultation meeting in Chinhoyi last week which was chaired by Mashonaland West Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Josphat Jaji.
Head of corporate communications and marketing at ZINWA, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga assured residents that there was no risk of the dam being polluted.
“The project proponent approached ZINWA as one of the key stakeholders of the cement plant project and as part of the Environmental Impact Assessment consultations wherein ZINWA gave its professional and technical input as the country’s water resources management lead agency.
“The project will not be using or drawing water from the already committed Kemureza Dam as the firm concerned shall be drilling boreholes for their water requirements,” she said.
Recently, the Zimbabwe National Organisation of Associations and Residents Trust (ZNOART) (Mashonaland West chapter) petitioned the Local Government and Public Works Ministry and the Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Marian Chombo to look into the issue of possible water pollution by the project.
ZNOART said it was representing Magunje and Hurungwe residents who were concerned over the impact of the proposed project.
“Pursuant to our survey, residents have welcomed the billion-dollar project which is in line with Vision 2030, the National Development Strategy 1 and the rural industrialisation agenda and almost all rural and urban Hurungwe residents are excited as the plant promises 5 000 jobs and incomes.
“The cement industry has a significant contribution to construction and development but we can’t ignore its environmental footprint and therefore, we can’t bungle its implementation with environmentally unsustainable decision-making,” said ZNOART in the petition.
Adherence to the Environmental Management Act and the Zimbabwe National Water Authority Act, ZNOART said, had to be of paramount importance.
“These regulations mandate the protection of the environment for the benefit of current and future generations. This project could alter the local ecosystem, affect aquatic life and jeopardise the health of residents as pollutants enter the food and water supply chain.
“Cement dust will compromise the health of about 10 000 Magunje residents, the nearby Magunje Hospital, the 2.3 infantry battalion residents, a boarding school, Kemureza Irrigation Scheme and villagers hence the need for site reconsideration to a sparsely populated area,” said ZNOART.
Mrs Munyonga, however, said there was no reason for residents to press the panic button as submissions made to ZINWA so far pointed to no negative impact on the dam.
Environmental Management Agency (EMA) Mashonaland West spokesperson, Mr Munyaradzi Nhariswa said: “EIA stakeholder consultations are still being carried out.
“The reason for EIA is not to stop any development but to lay plans for the environment. As EMA, we have received an Environmental Impact Assessment report on the Hurungwe cement project.
“An all-inclusive stakeholder review process is currently underway which seeks to take on board the views and opinions of interested and affected parties,” said Mr Nhariswa.
Labenmon Investments’ local representative, Mr Thomas Chidzomba said their company was committed to conforming to the country’s environmental and water laws and policies.
He said they were keen to complement President Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 by promoting sustainable investments, exploration, mining, value addition and efficient management of mineral resources.
Online Reporter