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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Bulawayo Bureau
GOVERNMENT will soon expedite the construction of Glassblock Bopoma Dam in Insiza District, Matabeleland South Province, to ease water challenges in Bulawayo and usher in rural industrialisation through irrigation.
The dam is expected to have a holding capacity of 130 million cubic metres and be built through a public private partnership (PPP).
The dam is strategically located at the intersection of Gwanda, Umzingwane and Filabusi districts and is expected to boost bulk water supplies for local communities in the long term, especially when Bulawayo gets most of its water in most years from Gwayi-Shangani, releasing the set of smaller dams across Matabeleland South that supply the city to concentrate on irrigation and local communities.
A target has been set to complete the dam in two years and it is estimated to cost US$100 million. Plans to construct the dam were mooted in 1988, but implementation was stalled due to funding and other logistical challenges.
Government is now pushing for the implementation of the project that will partly address Bulawayo’s water shortage problems.
A 32km pipeline will link the dam to the Ncema Dam pump station so that Bulawayo can access water from the dam when necessary.
Construction giant, JRG Construction led by prominent businessman Mr James Ross (JR) Goddard, has been awarded the tender to construct the dam. Already, preparatory land clearance has been completed and the site is being equipped with the necessary machinery.
Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Vangelis Haritatos conducted a tour of the site last Thursday and assured communities that the project will be implemented to benefit local communities.
He said a green belt will be established along the 32km pipeline to support rural development and unlock more business opportunities.
“A project of this size is something that we will definitely promote and support as Government. This project will benefit locals who will be guaranteed water for irrigation and other uses. The dam will also address water shortage problems for Bulawayo,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos.
He had directed the Department of Irrigation to look at what could be developed around the dam so that locals could directly benefit from the dam.
“The priority is to get water to Bulawayo, but also equally important is the rural industrial development that comes with irrigation development. From here we will do our level best to push this project,” said Deputy Minister Haritatos. He said the dam project was in line with the vision and expectations of the Second Republic.
Deputy Minister Haritatos said private firms must come on board and support the initiative to mobilise resources to fund development projects, saying Government cannot do everything.
He commended JRG Construction, which has engaged finance institutions and others to support the dam project.
Speaking during the tour, Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the dam would go a long way in bringing the much needed development to the province, including boosting food security.
“This is the kind of development that we have always called for in our province where we develop one of our major sectors, which is agriculture.
“This dam will help to turn this area into a green belt,” she said.
“It will address the issue of food security and water supply for both animals and people. It will birth a number of economic driven projects such as livestock production, crop production and fishery among others. It will also help to harness water that we have been losing to Limpopo River,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She had organised several meetings between herself, her counterpart Minister Judith Ncube from Bulawayo Metropolitan and the Bulawayo City Council so that they understand the value of the proposed dam.
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