Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE rehabilitation of Gungwe Dam in Gwanda District which was washed away by heavy rains in 2016 will ease water challenges in the area and usher in significant agricultural activities.
The project is being funded by the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust (CSOT) working with JRG Construction. The construction company, which is owned by businessman, Mr James Ross (JR) Goddard, is assisting with machinery and technical supervision.
The CSOT will contribute US$294 000 towards the project helping save US$538 000 additional costs which would have been incurred if an external contractor was engaged.
About 45m of the dam wall was washed away in December 2016, releasing volumes of water which swept away downstream gardens.
The rehabilitation project started last month and is set to be completed in November this year, benefiting close to 3 000 people. It has also provided jobs for 20 locals and 20 boreholes will be drilled under the project.
One of the employed villagers, Ms Sithembile Makwaiba, said the project has revived hope for the community that once completed, it will open opportunities for youths.
“This dam is very crucial to our community as it is where our animals used to drink and we also had garden projects, which were assisting us with income. Rehabilitating the dam will mean the livelihoods of many families will be revived,” she said.
“I’m glad that this project has also helped us with employment opportunities as I’m one of the people who got a job under the project.
“I’m also glad that women were given an opportunity to play an active role in the success of this project. As a youth, I will play an active role to ensure that we fully utilise the dam and maximise its potential.”
Another villager, Mr Levson Ncube, said they were relieved to finally see the project they had long awaited taking shape. He said the dam was built in the 1950s and it had outlived its lifespan. Mr Ncube said they were grateful for the Government’s intervention through the CSOT.
Gwanda CSOT chairperson, Mr Coaster Nkala, said they saw it prudent as an organisation to assist the community of Gungwe as part of efforts to fulfil their mandate.
Rehabilitation works include re-establishing and widening the spill-way channel with a levelling masonry weir, construction of a new dam embankment and the rock toe, raising the existing Gungwe Dam embankment by 1,4 metres from the upstream of the existing embankment and raising the existing dam’s full supply level by one metre.
“All plant equipment and vehicles necessary to undertake the Gungwe dam rehabilitation works as well as supervision and management of this project have been provided by JRG Construction,” said Mr Nkala.
“All salaries and wages of site-based personnel have been provided by the company. The total estimated sum required from the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust by JRG towards supplies for the Gungwe Dam rehabilitation works will amount to US$294 000.
“On a commercial scale, the project would have been valued at US$832 237. The overall goal is to contribute to the improvement of access to water in the Gwanda District. The dam is very vital to the community as it provides water to the clinic, DDF centre and a community hall. It is in this regard that we saw it prudent to intervene.”
In an interview, Gwanda South Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi, said rehabilitation of the dam had come at a critical time when the Government is seized with the development of water bodies to support agricultural activities.
“The community will benefit immensely with village business units set to be established. This will enhance efforts being made towards realisation of Vision 2030. About 12 villages will get water from the dam, which means livelihoods for many households will be improved,” he said.
“The community of Gungwe had struggled for a long time and I saw it prudent to engage the Gwanda Community Share Ownership Trust, which responded. I would also like to commend the community, which is actively involved in the dam rehabilitation by providing labour. Twenty locals have been employed under the project,” said Dr Marupi. – @DubeMatutu
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