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Chronicle Reporter
VILLAGERS at Fincham resettlement area in Bubi District are facing a serious shortage of water and have embarked on a pipeline project to draw the precious liquid from Pollards Dam.In an interview yesterday, one of the village heads, Mr Petro Masuku, said people in the area have been struggling to get water since they were resettled in the area under the land reform programme.
“Since we got the land about 12 years ago, people in our area are struggling to access water. We do not have a borehole or a dam. People walk long distances to get water,” said Mr Masuku.
“Efforts to drill boreholes failed because we were told that the water table is too deep. Two years ago engineers from the Zimbabwe National Water Authority came and made surveys, which indicated that the water table was 82 metres deep.”
Mr Masuku said villagers in conjunction with some donors had resolved to lay a pipeline to draw water from Pollards Dam, which is more than 6km away.
“The only alternative we have is to draw water from Pollards Dam. We consulted the local government offices and they gave us the green light.
“As we speak we have dug the pipeline trench and villagers have contributed $5 per homestead to buy the pipes. There are about 100 homes,” said Mr Masuku.
“We managed to buy pipes that cover one and a half kilometres and our donor bought the remaining pipes. What is left now is to build a reservoir,” he said.
An elderly villager from the area, Mr Abednigo Tshongwe, urged the Government to construct more dams in resettlement areas to enhance productivity.
“We need bulk water sources for our livestock and irrigation. Without water it is difficult to fully utilise the land,” said Mr Tshongwe.
Online Reporter