Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Correspondent
Just like any other country, Zimbabwe has been hit by climate change impacts of drought and floods, all of which have put pressure on the limited national resources and capacities.
The increased scope, frequency and magnitude of climate change impacts on the economy and people’s livelihoods continue to escalate with each passing year. This has led to a number of impacts that include increased scarcity of drinking water for settlements, as raw water sources, particularly dams and boreholes dry up.
There has been destruction of key infrastructure assets, particularly roads, buildings and water points, requiring costly restoration and rehabilitation programmes. Reduced hydro-generation capacity at Kariba South Hydro-Power Station that has led to load shedding and undermined economic activity.
The loss of arable land and pasture has decimated livestock, resulting in loss of incomes. Ultimately this has led to the deterioration in the health status of the population and displaced vulnerable populations. Probably it is worth mentioning that climate change has also affected other facets of the economy like tourism.
Studies have revealed that there are direct implications of climate change risks on tourism which include damage to infrastructure, reduced length of tourism, reduced quality of tourism, reduced competitiveness, additional emergency preparedness, higher operating expenses, business interruptions, affected destination image and reduction in tourist satisfaction.
Other various forms of indirect effects of climate change include damage to company property, loss of revenue, loss of cultural heritage, loss of biodiversity, loss of species habitats, species reduction, loss of livelihoods, cost of adaptation, reduced landscape beauty, damage of attractions, increase in diseases, more intense storms, reduced agricultural production and increased water stress.
These indirect impacts of climate change on tourism have invariably led to a reduction of the Gross domestic product (GDP), loss of jobs, reduction in household incomes and creation of extreme poverty and all other social ills associated with poverty.
Climate projections show that extreme weather events will become even more frequent and destructive going forward, hence the need for government to factor such extreme events in the way they plan, execute and manage public infrastructure assets.
However, special gratitude and praise must be given to the Second Republic led by His Excellency President Mnangagwa for coming up with climate responsive infrastructure designs for critical sectors, such as housing, transport, communication, among others.
These have been prioritised in order to anticipate and factor such extreme weather occurrences as part of measures to build resilience of communities. With Matabeleland boasting of a number of government initiated capital projects, the Gwayi – Shangani dam remains one of the key migratory initiatives against climate change impacts.
A dream the all-powerful colonial settlers had but couldn’t achieve, President Mnangagwa made history by being the leader to fulfill the promise of bringing water to Bulawayo from the Zambezi.
The project had been in the pipeline since 1912 but during the President’s short reign, the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project will be completed in December this year with the 245km pipeline that connects the dam to Bulawayo set to be completed in 2022.
The project which the President has said will be completed during his lifetime involves various phases which include the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, the construction of a pipeline from the dam to Bulawayo and another pipeline which will draw water from the Zambezi River.
The Gwayi – Shangani dam which is about 40% completion will be the third largest inland dam in the country. It will supply potable water to Bulawayo Metropolitan Province as well as to Hwange and Binga Communities.
Regardless of the climate change induced impacts on the Kariba South Hydro-Power station, electricity generation during 2022 is projected to grow by 12.6%, boosted by completion of one unit at the Hwange 7 and 8 expansion project and investments towards upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance of existing plants.
This comes at a time Hwange 7 and 8 Power Station Expansion Project, which is expected to add 600MW has already surpassed 62,54 percent completion progress. The expansion programme entails some of the major capital projects being undertaken by government in the region.
Following the dilapidation and destruction of roads by the rains received this past rain season, the second republic engaged on a robust Emergency Road Rehabilitation Program. In Matabeleland, Bulawayo City Council was allocated $35 million, Matabeleland North road authorities were allocated approximately $265 million with Matabeleland South getting $139 million in the initial phase of the program.
This saw most roads being rehabilitated with more yet to be done as the programme gets into the second phase. As if that is enough to speak about, Zimbabweans in South Africa will be able to see for themselves the surreal majestic infrastructure that will greet them on the Zimbabwe side of the border.
Work on the massive US$300 million modernisation of the border into a world class commercial hub has so far gathered momentum with major developments under the first phase of the project almost complete.
The modenisation will increase the volume of traffic and the service levels are going to be very high and modern in line with international standards while also speeding up the implementation of the one stop border post concept.
Other government projects include the construction of Tuli-Manyange Dam in Galanyemba Communal Area, Gwanda, Matabeleland South Province. The ZW$2.2 billion project will see over 15 000 hectares of land being put under irrigation. This has seen the creation of 140 jobs for locals.
Gariya Dam in Matabeleland North Province is one of the capital projects being undertaken. The dam which was constructed in 1953 was mainly for water conservation purposes, to supply water for human use as well as to domestic and wild animals. The dam wall breached in 2017 and is being re-constructed.
Perhaps last but not least, the deterioration in the health status of the population and vulnerable caused by impacts of climate change is set to be alleviated following major facelifts of health facilities and contraction of others in the region. The recent delivery of 30 of the 100 purchased ambulances has also complimented the magnificent revamp of the health sector.-@nyeve14
Online Reporter