adminLeonard Ncube, Victoria Falls Reporter
HIGHER and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo has called for collaborative efforts on research in water sustainability to solve problems facing communities.
In his official address at the 5th China-Africa Water Forum which ended in Victoria Falls on Thursday, Prof Moyo, who was guest of honour, said lack of reliable bulk water negates development.
“Zimbabwe has been experiencing climate-induced effects of extreme weather that has seen severe droughts in the Midlands, Masvingo, Bulawayo and Matabeleland North and South provinces.
“Increasing research efforts in these communities towards sustainable utilisation of groundwater and other water engineering technologies is expected to provide sustainable solutions. Therefore there is a need for collaborative research initiatives towards groundwater resource,” he said.
Prof Moyo attributed the industrial demise in Bulawayo to water shortages.
“It’s a matter of national concern that Bulawayo’s industrial base where Nust (National University of Science and Technology) is located has been severely threatened by the lack of reliable bulk water supply. There is a need for increased efforts in water research and development, promotion and inclusion of women, youth and local communities in water resources governance,” said Prof Moyo.
He said the Government alone cannot achieve the goal of ensuring universal access to safe and reliable water for all by 2030.
This, he said is alive to UN Sustainable Development Goal Number Six which speaks to availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Prof Moyo said the water summit came at an opportune time when research institutions were grappling with problems of bulk water supply, irrigated agricultural schemes, water utilisation efficiency and effective water treatment technological solutions.
He said his ministry had taken key interest in research on water in line with “new policy and legislative thrust on the transformation for industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe.”
Nust hosted the forum on behalf of Zimbabwe, with researchers from China, Africa and beyond attending.
Co-ordinator of the forum, Dr Innocent Muchingami, a lecturer in the Department of Applied Physics at Nust, said the occasion was a milestone achievement for the institution, where Zimbabwe becomes the second country in the continent to host the forum after South Africa.
The meeting was meant to provide solutions to global water issues where accessibility issues are key to socio- economic transformation.
It also sought to provide a platform for shared experiences on recent advances and innovations on water problems, creating a platform for co-ordinated research as well as bridging the gap between academia and policy on water resources management.
The theme was: “Towards the promotion of sustainable utilisation of water resources in developing countries.”
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Bongani Ndlovu