EMA audits Semwa Dam project

Steel fixers work on the reinforcement of Semwa Dam wall which is under construction in Mt Darwin last week. — Picture: Justin Mutenda.

Fungai Lupande

Mashonaland Central Bureau

THE Environmental Management Agency (EMA) has conducted a tour and bi-annual environmental audit of the ongoing Semwa Dam construction project in Rushinga to assess compliance with the approved Environmental Management Plan (EMP).

The visit formed part of EMA’s routine monitoring of projects certified through the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process, particularly those of national significance such as Semwa Dam.

The audits aim to strengthen environmental sustainability, identify gaps and provide recommendations to ensure that developers adhere to sound environmental standards.

EMA provincial education and publicists officer Mr Maxwell Mupotsa said Semwa Dam is a key driver in achieving the national climate resilience goals.

For decades, communities in Rushinga have struggled with water shortages, which pushed many into unsustainable streambank cultivation.

With construction of the main dam progressing and a cofferdam already holding water upstream, households are experiencing early benefits even before completion of the project.

Local communities have established consolidated nutrition gardens supported by the reliable water from the cofferdam.

A thriving fisheries project has also taken off, providing both food and income while promoting sustainable resource use.

Mr Mupotsa said these developments show how large-scale water infrastructure can transform rural livelihoods, reduce environmental degradation and build community resilience to climate change.

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