Govt signs Kunzvi Dam MOU

Speaking at the handover of US$6 million from Switzerland that is part of the Rural Water and Sanitation Programme in Harare yesterday, Water Resources Development and Management Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo said the project would need at least US$445 million to be completed.

“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with the AVIC Engineering Company in China for the construction of Kunzvi Dam.
“The construction will take three years and the amount needed to complete the process is US$445 million,” he said.

Minister Sipepa Nkomo said the Kunzvi Dam project would also include a 50-kilometre piping to Harare. The Kunzvi Dam project is expected to ease perennial water woes experienced in Harare.

Meanwhile, Minister Sipepa Nkomo hailed the Rural Water and Sanitation Programme saying it would restore the right to water for rural people.
“The rural people’s right to water will eventually be respected, protected and fulfilled through the programme outcomes.”

The US$60 million Rural Water and Sanitation Programme is targeted at the rehabilitation and construction of water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure in rural areas.
Minister Sipepa Nkomo said the donation from the Swiss government would be used in Mashonaland West, Midlands, Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Masvingo.

“Starting this week, I will be touring project sites to ensure that implementation is done with the greatest of ease and maximum returns,” he said.
The Swiss Ambassador to Zimbabwe Mr Luciano Lavizzari said Zimbabwe had effective approaches to sanitation.

“Zimbabwe has a long history of championing effective and innovative approaches to safe water and sanitation improvements.
“Latrine coverage of about 60 percent in rural areas and water coverage of 85 percent,” he said.

UNICEF Representative Mr Marc Rubin said the project would improve access to safe water and enable the rehabilitation of broken down boreholes.
“It will enable the rehabilitation of 800 broken down boreholes, drilling of 170 new boreholes and the construction of 1 600 latrines in 160 rural schools. Three community-managed piped water schemes will be rehabilitated and 1 000 communities will be supported to reach open defecation-free status,” he said.