Dam rehabilitation gives hope to Mberengwa community

Herald Reporter

THE rehabilitation of Meredhesi Dam in Mberengwa Central, funded by the Government and its development partners, is expected to transform the lives of over 1 000 Radway community members.

This project addresses water scarcity and climate change impact and seeks to revitalise agricultural activities in the area.

Dam rehabilitation and construction projects being implemented by the Government countrywide are aimed at anchoring the rural industrialisation policy in line with Vision 2030, through establishment of irrigation schemes and related downstream industries.

District by district, the Government has initiated and supported development programmes that are meant to improve the livelihood of the ordinary people in line with the Second Republic’s philosophy of leaving no place and no one behind.

In an interview after visiting the dam that is being de-silted, Mberengwa District Development Coordinator (DDC), Mr Vafios Hlabati said the rehabilitation of the dam and other water bodies in the district plays a vital role in transforming the agriculture sector.

“The rehabilitation of Meredhesi Dam is being funded by the Government and its development partners and it is expected to transform the lives of over 1 000 Radway community members,” he said.

“We want to thank our partners for coming on board at the right time. Meredhesi is one of the life-changing projects and it speaks to National Development Strategy (NDS 1) through infrastructure development for Vision 2030 to be attained.”

The project, Mr Hlabati said, will play a huge role in making Mberengwa a greenbelt and enable the district partake in the national food security systems.

“This is an example of how our Government is on a drive to promote dam rehabilitation and construction countrywide to increase food nutritional and security,” he said.

One of the villagers looking forward to use water from the dam to irrigate his crops, Mr Thompson Nyathi, commended the Government and its partners for rehabilitating the dam.

“I’m relieved to finally see the project we had long awaited taking shape.

“This will help us achieve what we want in society amid climate change,” he said.