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Columbus Mabika-Herald Reporter
WORK on the construction of Kunzvi Dam, north-east of Harare is progressing well with the dam now 33 percent complete and on course for commissioning in 2026.
The US$109 million dam is the first Harare water supply reservoir that isnot on the Manyame River and is on the opposite side of the metropolitan area from Morton Jaffray Water Works and Lakes Chivero and Manyame.
It will be able to serve the higher altitude areas furthest from the water works.
Besides ensuring supplies for north-east and eastern Harare, Chitungwiza and Ruwa will benefit from Kunzvi Dam situated on the confluence of the Nora and Nyaguwe rivers in Goromonzi district. A lot of the existing bulk water infrastructure that the two towns should be using is already in place in eastern Harare.
Kunzvi Dam was planned decades ago, but was continually postponed, mainly over financing and a false belief that the existing water sources were adequate. Significant progress has been recorded on the construction during the last year as the Second Republic fulfils its promises towards turning the country into an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and leaving no place behind in development.
Speaking during a visit to the dam, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira said the progress to date has been commendable despite some difficulties.
“As a country we have above 10 000 dams, actually we have more dams than the SADC region. We are happy the rains have come at the right time as most our dams are filling together with the major power dam Kariba. I came here to check on progress which is impressive. We will definitely beat the commissioning target of 2026,” he said.
Dep Min Marapira said Government was currently constructing 13 major dams throughout the country but Kunzvi is the most economically viable dam under construction.
“No one will get water from this dam for free. Harare residents will pay for the water, so as Government we are going to recover from the sale of water. We will also allocate a portion of the water to the local community where we are going develop irrigation and fishing,” Dep Min Marapira said.
The representative of the contracting company, Makomo Engineering, Mr Lianmin Jin, said they are optimistic of meeting the deadline for commissioning.
“Despite a very few hindrances we will meet the target. As you can see we are not fully operational because of the rains which tend to disrupt our progress. We have also been slowed down by the relocation process of some villagers close to here which is set to be done soon. So we cannot carry out some works like blasting until they are removed to safer areas,” he said.
Zinwa Site Surveyor, Mr Brian Muteyaunga, said the construction was progressing well.
“Excavation on the main dam is at 17 percent, while embankment placing for the main dam is at 15 percent and site establishment is at 90 percent. Progress is going well despite relocation of some families taking a bit longer than expected, thereby stalling progress” he said.
Villagers expressed happiness with the developments saying the dam will be a life changer for the surrounding communities.
“This will have a social and economic impact on the immediate localities and consequently on the whole country, thereby making this project an inclusive development. This will transform the area into a true green belt, provide adequate drinking water storage for livestock,” said Mr Farai Muchinani of Chikazhi village close to the dam.
Another villager, Mrs Lorreta Dzvanga, of Dzvanga village said secure water supply is the critical piece of infrastructure required to support any society.
“This is a very important first step and will need to be closely followed by sourcing and funding of proper projects that are to come from the dam as part of the secure yield requirements to droughts which have affected the area in recent years,” he said.
Online Reporter