Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira
Senior Reporter
CONSTRUCTION of Semwa Dam in Rushinga is going on well with plans underway to install a 500 kilowatt solar plant.
Plans are also afoot to procure a second crusher machine to speed up the project which is set to change the face of Mashonaland Central province and other surrounding areas.
There will also be a mini water treatment plant at the site to provide potable water for workers and local community in this dry and arid region.
Semwa Dam, being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, is one of the signature mega projects by the Second Republic which seeks to end the perennial challenges caused by rain fed agriculture.
It is part of the Government’s proactive measures to contain the effects of climate change.
The dam, located on Ruya River, is set to provide irrigation water on 12 000 hectares of land as well as generate hydroelectric power. It will also provide potable water to Rushinga and Chimhanda growth point.
Plans are afoot to install a solar-powered plant to act as back up should there be a power outage.
It was a hive of activity when The Herald crew visited Semwa Dam last Friday with the main contractor Makomo Engineering workers busy on the project.
They were busy with water diversion works that will allow people to work on the foundation of the dam.
At present, the heavy presence of water on the foundation is impeding work on the project.
In an interview, Zinwa resident Engineer Morgan Murungu said construction work is going on well with teams working on foundation excavation works.
“We are putting a solar plant to take care of any power outage so that work will not be disrupted. We will be installing a 500 kilowatt solar plant which is the same capacity currently powering our work here. We are also putting a second crusher to speed up construction work,’ he said.
The project is expected to provide potable water to Rushinga and Chimhanda growth point whose source of water is now susceptible to siltation.
“We will soon have a water treatment plant here for our workers and it will also help local the community,” Eng Murungu said.
A fishery project from the storage dam is already benefiting the community.
Eng Murungu said about 120 villagers will be relocated as they are settled in the basin which was at risk of flooding in case of a dam spill.
Makomo Engineering manager, Mr Penghui Tang, said they are working round the clock to complete the dam
He commended Zinwa and the Government for the support his firm is getting to ensure that they complete the project.
“Work is going on well. We are working well with our project manager, Zinwa. We are working tirelessly to complete the project so that the country starts reaping benefits,” said Mr Tang.
Semwa Dam is expected to be a major economic development project for Mount Darwin and Rushinga.
