Govt consults villagers on Lake Gwayi-Shangani master plan

Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THE Government is conducting consultative meetings around the Lake Gwayi-Shangani site with villagers in Hwange, Lupane and Binga as part of efforts to come up with an integrated master plan.

The three districts are set to be affected both positively and negatively by the construction of the lake and Government has adopted an inclusive approach that includes the locals.

Addressing villagers at Cross Mabale recently, the host ward of the project, the Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Richard Moyo said the consultative meetings were part of efforts to involve locals in drawing up suitable interventions and opportunities.

“Though Mabale which is under Hwange District is not going to be affected in terms of displacement save for a gravel road, downstream bridge and powerline, it is prudent to also be covered during these consultation meetings. The Government is drawing up an integrated master plan which is inclusive that’s why we are consulting as well as giving you updates on progress.

This dam project is a clear demonstration of President Mnangagwa’s commitment to improving livelihoods of rural communities through food security, access to water and other social amenities,” said Cde Moyo on Thursday last week.

He said his team had already held meetings with villagers in Lubimbi, Binga while another meeting will be held in Lupane. The team which forms a committee and is led by Cde Moyo is made up of all rural authorities, district development coordinators and traditional leaders in the affected areas.

About 350 households are set to be affected by the throwback of the lake with Government working on modalities of securing land and compensation.

“We have already seen villagers in Lubimbi and today we are here with you before we move on to Lupane. With regards to Binga, 350 families are going to be relocated to an identified area close to the project and they are going to be compensated. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is working on the budget and have assured us that funds will be made available for that process that will include setting up social amenities.”

Cde Moyo urged locals to start preparing business plans in anticipation of the opportunities that are set to be created by the project when completed in December.

“This project is going to create a lot of opportunities for business so I want to urge you all to start working towards a plan on how you are going to serve a certain need within the value chain. This area is going to be a tourism hub where recreational activities such boating, dam viewing and fishing among others are going to bring business and you must benefit first as locals. Start rearing traditional chickens, pigs or cattle for that food consumption market.

Council will ensure that locals require land to set up shops will get first preference.”

The project will see 10 000ha of land being placed under irrigation with the three districts set to exclusively benefit from the off takes from the 256km pipeline carrying water to Bulawayo. Besides the establishment of irrigation schemes, communities will also have access to potable water as well as fish for consumption.

“Each administrative district will get 200ha to plant crops be it wheat or maize. This will ensure that households become food secure. Fish farming will help in nutrition as people will be allowed to sustainably harvest it using fishing rods and not nets.”

The first phase of the project is expected to be completed by 31 December this year with the dam wall now at 18 metres out of 72m. The second phase which involves construction of a pipeline to Bulawayo is expected to be completed in 2022 with the tendering process having been completed.