Chronicle EditorProsper Ndlovu, Business Editor
ZIMBABWE must embrace a nexus approach when implementing development projects related to water, energy and food security in order to achieve meaningful economic growth.
This emerged yesterday during a one day consultative symposium on energy, water, agriculture and environment, where participants called for improved coordination in public and private projects’ implementation.
They noted that food, water, energy and environment systems were closely interconnected hence the need for a harmonised strategy when rolling out development projects in these areas.
Environmental consultant and facilitator, Mr Wellington Dzvairo, said a nexus approach was crucial for the successful implementation of Zim-Asset projects in Zimbabwe in line with the cluster system. He noted that while the Government blue-print spells out a number of crucial economic projects, the fragmented implementation approach by ministries has tended to weaken their impact.
The nexus in this regard refers to how and where these four systems intersect, mainly in view of the fact that actions related to one system can impact one or both of the other systems.
At the heart of the nexus approach, experts say, is a strong understanding of the interdependencies among the four systems and how to ensure food, water and energy security for an ever-growing population while preserving the environment.
Representatives drawn from the public, private, non-governmental organisations, academia and local authority-levels, were agreed that a nexus model would quicken the pace of development in Zimbabwe and minimise coordination bottlenecks.
They said the approach has proved to be useful in advancing the goal of integrated planning, policy and management. The discussions emphasised the importance of increasing awareness about how these systems four systems intersect, and why greater coordination is necessary. In a majority cases, they said, there has been antagonism as players in each of the four sectors have operated as silos and failed to consider the interests of the other.
Matabeleland North provincial Agritex officer, Mr Dumisani Nyoni, said water and energy costs were high in Zimbabwe, which impacts negatively on the productivity of farmers and compromises food security.
He was seconded by one participant from the academia who said Government needs to adopt a pro-active role and channel more resources an integrated development approach.
A representative from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority said plans were under way to establish mini-hydro-power stations at selected dams to beef up electricity generation. The gathering observed that the Tokwe Mukorsi Dam project was good example of a nexus initiative, which not only focuses on provision of water but irrigation, power generation and a diversity of food security programmes as well.
The Ministry of Energy and Power Development also made submissions in which it emphasised the need to reduce pollution through adoption of renewable energy technology. The donor community expressed willingness to work closely with the Government and the private sector in championing inclusive development projects.
The Environmental Management Agency encouraged both public and private players to mainstream environmental issues to ensure sustainable economic growth. Participants suggested that a similar nexus model has to be embraced at regional level to aid the economic integration processes.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu