Chronicle EditorSukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) is set to rehabilitate 1 300 boreholes in Matabeleland South as part of efforts to cushion villagers against the effects of the El Nino-induced drought.
In an interview, RIDA Matabeleland South’s acting provincial co-ordinator, Mr Joseph Dube said the programme will target 104 boreholes in dip tanks and 1 200 in communities.
He said so far 389 out of 1 200 community boreholes have been rehabilitated.
The target is to have completed the rehabilitation process by mid-August.
“Given the drought situation we are facing this year, RIDA has set out a target to resuscitate some water sources focusing mainly on boreholes and we will also look into a few dams depending on the availability of funds,” he said.
“We have rolled out a rapid borehole rehabilitation programme where we have re-tooled our pump mechanics and deployed them into the districts. They are in the field doing borehole rehabilitation work. Our target is to ensure that we have water for both livestock and people.”
Mr Dube said the rehabilitation of boreholes in dip tanks will ensure that there is adequate water to prevent January Disease.
“We are moving with speed so that we mitigate this drought situation. Resources permitting we wish to complete this programme by 15 August. We have also identified dams that need urgent attention,” he said.
“The rehabilitation of dams also requires a lot of capital. We have identified dams that require very little in terms of finance, materials and time to rehabilitate.”
Mr Dube said Fakanye Dam in Mangwe District is 90 per cent complete.
“There is also Gungwe Dam and we are in the process of assessing other dams to see if we can quickly rehabilitate them,” he said.–@DubeMatutu
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter