Chronicle Editor
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Chronicle Reporter
US$37 MILLION has been availed under the Arab Economic Fund for Development towards the expansion of the Zhobe Irrigation Scheme in Beitbridge, Matabeleland South province which is at 50 percent capacity utilisation.
In an interview, Matabeleland South acting provincial irrigation engineer, Mr Shepard Mpotekwa said the Government had engaged various partners for the expansion of the irrigation scheme to ensure the full utilisation of Zhobe Dam.
He said under the project, the irrigation project which has a capacity of 2 500 hectares will be expanded by another 2 500 hectares bringing the total to 5 000 hectares.
“There is a project which is underway to expand Zhobe Irrigation Scheme by 2 500 hectares. The project started in 2015 but it stopped due to financial challenges. Soil surveys have been done in order to determine the type of system that will be appropriate for the irrigation.
Government has been working with various partners to finance the project.
“The project has received a capital injection of US$37million through the Arab Economic Fund for Development. The money has been coming in phases. The intention is to expand Zhobe Irrigation Scheme so that Zhobe Dam is fully utilised to ensure food security. A number of partners are expected to come on board to assist in funding the programme,” he said.
Mr Mpotekwa said under the project, a kilometre long pipeline will be installed from Zhobe Dam to Beitbridge Town.
He said small irrigations will be established along the pipeline and on identified areas near the dam.
Mr Mpotekwa said the pipeline will draw water to Beitbridge Town to support various projects.
“When Zhobe Dam was constructed it was for the purpose of bringing development to Beitbridge Town so that it’s upgraded to a city. Irrigations schemes will be established in identified areas from Zhobe Dam right up to Beitbridge.
This is a massive project that will bring water close to homesteads, business centres, schools among other areas to ensure food security.
“The project will also provide communities with an opportunity to engage in various livelihood projects. It will also ensure industrial growth in Beitbridge Town as well as areas close to the dam. The target is to have all these projects complete by 2023,” he said.
The Matabeleland South Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Abedinico Ncube, recently raised concern over the continued underutilisation of Zhobe Dam.-@DubeMatutu
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