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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
Major dams under construction such as Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi are targetted for completion this year with construction work due to resume in March as the rains start falling back.
Government is also targeting to complete Bindura dam this year with the aim to solve its long-lasting water challenges.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Permanent Secretary Professor Obert Jiri said the Government is focusing on completing the two large dams of Gwayi-Shangani, which is to feed Bulawayo, and Kunzvi, to supply Harare, to ensure that people get water for domestic use in the cities and that irrigation can be extended in the surrounding areas.
“Works will resume soon in March. All is in order to start operations. Our main thrust under these dams is irrigation, fisheries and to ensure that people have adequate water for survival. We should use the 10 700 dams that we have for irrigation. Currently we are irrigating about 200 000 hectares instead of 2 million ha when we fully use the dams and water bodies that we have,” he said.
Statistics from the ministry indicate that the construction of the high impact dams budgeted at US$1,1 billion across the country is progressing well with the flagship dam, Gwayi-Shangani, now 73 percent complete while Kunzvi dam is around 48 percent.
Gwayi-Shangani will provide water to Bulawayo, have water for irrigation along the water pipeline and generate 6MW of electricity.
Other dams being built or planned include Semwa Dam in Rushinga, Ziminya dam in Nkayi in Matabeleland North, and Vungu Dam in Silobela in Midlands. Muchekeranwa dam near Marondera has since been completed with farmers now reaping fruits from it.
Kunzvi Dam is being constructed on the Nyagui River which separates Murewa and Goromonzi districts. The main purpose of the dam is to supply water to Harare. It will also supply water to rural service centres nearby.
The Second Republic is constructing dams across the country to address water challenges and also climate-proof the agricultural sector which remains the mainstay of the country’s economy.
Beneficiaries in Bindura and Harare are pleased with the Government’s commitment on improving water storage and irrigation, saying this will improve their lives.
A youthful farmer Mr Joshua Vambe of Bindura indicated that the project will go a long way in addressing the scourge of hunger in the ward adding that they can provide food and send children to school once the dam is complete.
‘’This is an amazing project. We can sell our produce and send our children to school. We are going to grow crops that are on demand so that we earn a lot of money,’’he said.
Another resident Mrs Elizabeth Chiweshe said women in the area were relying on their husbands for survival, adding that the dam came to rescue women from being abused and harassed by their husbands.
‘’Women can grow crops for sale. What they earn will add to their husbands’ incomes hence chances of gender based violence are minimised. Its not easy to rely on husbands so we urge other women to participate in irrigation schemes so as to boost food security for our families and nation at large,’’she said.
Mr Amos Bube of Kuwadzana 1 said Kunzvi dam will alleviate some water problems in Harare adding that its completion will have a positive impact.
The Second Republic is on a drive to rehabilitate dams and construct new ones as part of efforts to avoid relying on rain fed agriculture, but on irrigation, so as to avoid food deficit.
This is meant to achieve an upper middle income economy by 2030 in line with the National Development Strategy 1 economic blueprint.
Online Reporter