Provinces get $500k for Command Water Harvesting projects

Nyaradzo Bakari, Chronicle Reporter
THE Government has availed $500 000 to each province to fund Command Water Harvesting projects.

Speaking at the official opening of the Mtshabezi Pipeline off Take in Matabeleland South last Friday, the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri said people should initiate irrigation schemes in their provinces in order to benefit from the command water harvesting programme.

She applauded Matabeleland South villagers for initiating the establishment of Zidlabusuku Irrigation Scheme.

“We are responsible for our water and environment. People should desist from farming on the river banks,” Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri.

“The government has given us money to boost our programme so we in turn should use our water to expand wealth in our land and shame those who imposed sanctions on us thinking we are not independent.”

The Minister said the government will construct weirs and sink boreholes across the country in the next month, aiming at harnessing water from floods and excessive rains.

“The Finance Minister has given us funds which we will use to sink boreholes and build weirs. As a ministry we acquired our own equipment so it will be easy for us to sink boreholes in order to conserve water. We will start off with one rig per province,” she said.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri encouraged locals to accommodate engineers who will be assigned in their provinces to construct weirs and sink of boreholes.
“I want each district to have its own engineer and I ask that they are allowed to be part of your development committee meetings,” she said.

The Minister urged people to keep the environment clean to avoid contamination of water.

“We say no to litter and we will continue to fine people who throw litter everywhere. This includes vendors who would be having litter around their vending places,” said the Minister.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said Command Water Harvesting will also increase employment in the country.

“The Government has seen the importance of trees and the President in 1980 launched the National Tree planting day. We need trees for oxygen but let us also plant citrus fruits which should expand our wealth.

“This year we want to plant at least 15 million fruit trees so that we can have companies like Schweppes benefit from us and not import fruits to make their juice,” said the Minister.

Forestry Commission donated 100 orange trees to the Zidlabusuku irrigation scheme.

Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said the government will introduce elephant grass this year to ensure the conservation of water in the country.

Speaking at the same event, Director General of the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks), Mr Fulton Upenyu Mangwanya encouraged locals to participate in the Command fisheries programme. “In July we brought 100 00 fingerlings to Mtshabezi Dam, today we bring you 50 000. I encourage you to embrace this programme so as to benefit from resources around you,” he said.

Mr Mangwanya warned people against poaching.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr Jefter Sakupwanya said there is need to increase areas under irrigation in the country. — @NyarieBakie