adminThe Government has started a process to consult stakeholders on implementing the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP) as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment.
The NMZWP is viewed as the panacea to water problems in the Matabeleland region. First mooted over a century ago, the NMZWP was granted national status in 2008.
Government inherited a construction site that had been established by the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust and a Chinese contractor — China International Water and Electric Corporation, but not much was done on the ground.
The project was commissioned last year and about US$61 million was availed to resume the first phase, which is the construction of Gwayi-Tshangani Dam, but actual work began early this year.
When complete, the project will bring water to greater parts of Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and eventually Masvingo and Matabeleland South provinces through a pipeline.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe National Water Authority said the consultations would be held in Harare, Hwange, Binga, Tsholotsho and Bulawayo starting from December 5-20 this year.
Two local environment consultancy firms, Outrun Investments and Green Resources Consortium are undertaking the Environmental Impact Assessment.
“In line with the legal requirements and best practices for such projects, the consortium hereby invites stakeholder comments to the proposed project as part of the stakeholder consultation process,” it said.
The project scope covers land clearing, trenching and construction of Gwayi-Tshangani Dam, twin pipeline from GTD to Cowdray Park in Bulawayo, low lift and booster pump stations and a link pipeline from Deka Zambezi confluence to Kennedy Siding where it will meet the twin pipes.
The project will be implemented in phases, with the first stage being the completion of the Gwayi-Tshangani Dam which would receive water from the Zambezi River.
The second phase will see the construction of a pipeline from Gwayi-Tshangani Dam to a reservoir in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb.
The third and final phase will be the construction of a 245km pipeline from the Zambezi River to the Gwayi-Tshangani Dam.
The project is due to be completed in 2018 and is expected to gobble at least US$1, 2 billion with funding coming from Government and China. — New Ziana.
Online Reporter