adminIn a quest to leverage on existing assets as a way to raise funding for projects in the water sector, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate in collaboration with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), hosted a Water Resources and Infrastructure investment Conference from 24 to 25 June 2015 at the Rainbow Towers, Harare International Conference Centre.
By Hon. S. Kasukuwere
The water infrastructure investment conference was mooted as a way of attracting the private sector to participate in water infrastructure development.
The conference came at a time when Government has accelerated the implementation of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Social-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset).
The economic blue-print re-affirmed Government’s commitment towards water infrastructure development by unequivocally declaring infrastructure development as crucial for the economy to “register growth in a manner that is both competitive and effective”.
The Water Resources and Infrastructure investment Conference attracted more than 400 delegates and was officially opened by the Vice-President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, the Honourable ED Mnangagwa, and was graced by the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation for the Republic of South Africa, the Honourable Pamela Tshwete (MP).
Cabinet ministers and permanent secretaries from our Government, ambassadors, and development bank representatives also attended.
The key objectives of the Conference were:
(a) to give information to potential investors on 10 selected viable water infrastructure projects with designs and studies that were done; and
(b) to attract serious investors to put firm expressions of interest on the development or partnering with Government in the development of water infrastructure project.
Ten water infrastructure projects were selected for showcasing at the Investment Conference.
These are:
1. Epping Forest (Nyamandhlovu Aquifer) for Bulawayo water supply;
2. Chivhu Water Supply Project in Mashonaland East Province for water supply to Chivhu Town;
3. Muda-Nyatsime Chitungwiza Water Supply Project for water supply to Chitungwiza Town;
4. National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project in Matabeleland North for water supply to the City of Bulawayo, a coal mine, irrigation and small towns;
5. Kunzvi-Musami Harare Water Supply Project to supply water to the City of Harare and for irrigation;
6. Kondo Dam in Save River for irrigation and power generation;
7. Kudu Dam in Munyati River, Kadoma District for irrigation and water supply to Chegutu, Kadoma and Kwekwe Towns;
8. Nyatana Dam in Mazowe River, Mudzi District for irrigation and power generation;
9. Lubongo Dam on Runde River, Shurugwi District for water supply to the City of Gweru and Shurugwi Town; and
10. Bindura Dam on Mazowe River near Bindura Town for water supply to Bindura Town, mines and for irrigation.
The projects are for urban water supply, irrigation and power generation. Preliminary assessments were made during the conference with interested investors being short-listed for the selected projects.
A total of five projects, namely Kunzvi-Musami, Glassblock, Muda-Nyatsime, Kondo and Kudu dams, received interest from serious potential investors. The projects are estimated to cost a total of over US$2 billion.
The Water Resources and Infrastructure Investment Conference was a huge success and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate would like to thank all the investors and stakeholders for attending the conference.
The conference is going to be held annually with a view to take stock of progress and challenges on existing water infrastructure projects and attract new investors in the water sector.
I would like to assure all investors and stakeholders that the Government is committed to develop our water resources and improve access to water by the majority of Zimbabweans.
Water remains a key priority to us as a country.
Honourable Saviour Kasukuwere (MP) is Zimbabwe’s Minister of Environment, Water and Climate
Online Reporter