Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe, [email protected]
THE Government has endorsed the proposed construction of Bopoma Glassblock Dam in Matabeleland South Province at an estimated cost of US$100 million through a public-private partnership (PPP), which is expected to help address Bulawayo’s water challenges in the short term.
The dam will have a holding capacity of 130 million cubic metres and is strategically located at the intersection of Gwanda, Umzingwane, and Filabusi districts.
Its construction is expected to be completed within two years. Plans for the dam date back to 1988 but were delayed due to funding and logistical challenges. The Government is now pushing for its implementation as part of efforts to alleviate Bulawayo’s water shortages.
A 32km pipeline will connect the dam to the Ncema Dam pump station, providing Bulawayo with a vital water supply.
JRG Construction, led by prominent businessman Mr James Ross (JR) Goddard, has been awarded the tender for construction. Preparatory land clearance has already been completed, and machinery is being deployed to the site.
The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has indicated that it has received millions of dollars’ worth of expressions of interest from potential investors, including multilateral banks.
Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube has confirmed that the project has the full backing of the Government. He said such investments are part of the Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda, which includes public-private partnerships for road projects and the recent release of US$2,5 million to accelerate the construction of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani.
“We also continue to invest in the water sector. For example, last week, we released about US$2,5 million towards the Gwayi-Tshangani Dam. And for the Glassblock Dam in Bulawayo, we are again saying the City Council should go ahead and have that done on a public-private partnership basis,” he told our Harare Bureau.
The Government’s approval has excited Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, who expressed gratitude for the support, emphasising its necessity for the project’s feasibility.
“We welcome Honourable Minister Ncube’s confirmation that BCC has the Government’s full backing to proceed with the Glassblock Dam project. This is consistent with the position adopted by the Government, including support from the Ministry of Finance and Zimbabwe Investment Development Authority (Zida) for the project, as expressed at the December meeting of the Africa Investment Forum hosted by the African Development Bank in Rabat, Morocco,” he said.
“The support of the minister and Government for this project is greatly appreciated, and without it, the project would not be feasible. The project also includes Zinwa, and we look forward to the urgent finalisation of the relevant agreements involving the Consortium, approved by the Government to engage in the public-private partnership, Zinwa, and BCC,” said Clr Coltart.
During a recent full council meeting, Clr Coltart noted that at the Africa Investment Forum (AIF) in Morocco, the project generated significant continental interest, attracting nearly US$90 million in expressions of interest.
“At that meeting, we received a very favourable response from Standard Bank of South Africa, which indicated an interest in investing US$50 million in the dam, and a further expression of interest from the African Development Bank, which was interested in investing an additional US$33 million,” he told councillors.
Clr Coltart recently told Chronicle about the need for a stable environment to promote investment in Bulawayo.
“To have a stable environment, we need to ensure that the basics are met. These basics include water. We need to make sure that we have adequate water in the city. In terms of water, we are seeking to construct the Glassblock Dam and upgrade the pipelines from Insiza and Mtshabezi to ensure that the city can guarantee a stable water supply to businesses, industries, and workers, which is critical. Without a secure water supply, we cannot attract investment to the city,” he said.
