Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana recently in Dete
TREASURY has released US$5 million towards the construction of the Lake Gwayi-Shangani and made a commitment to release the same amount every month until the completion of the project.
The Government’s monthly disbursement arrangement is expected to expedite construction works.
Speaking during the recent stakeholders and inter-ministerial meeting for the Gwayi-Shangani project, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Dr Anxious Masuka, reaffirmed Government’s commitment to complete the mega project in the shortest possible time.
“We have been given US$5 million to fund the ongoing construction works and Treasury has promised to release the same amount every month to expedite work.
“The project requires US$4 million every month so the proposed U$5 million disbursement is a positive development. We are at 39 metres and we need to increase the height by another 22 metres,” said Dr Masuka.
He said work on constructing a 10MW hydro power plant was at an advanced stage with civil works for the powerhouse at 44 percent completion.
Dr Masuka however, said work on constructing the 252km pipeline to Bulawayo had been adversely affected by lack of funding.
“Work on pump house number 1, 2 and 3 had started but due to lack of funding, most contractors have left their respective sites,” he said.
The Lake Gwayi-Shangani project which is seen as the permanent solution to Bulawayo’s water shortages, is now 72 percent complete.
Dr Masuka said Government appreciates that water is a key enabler in achieving food security hence it was committed to funding projects such as the Lake Gwayi-Shangani and other dams across the country.
He said with water, communities can engage in cultivation of crops under irrigation, start fisheries projects and in some cases establish small hydro-power plants.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Matabeleland North, Cde Richard Moyo commended Government for prioritising the completion of the Lake Gwayi-Shangani which he said will trigger an agricultural revolution.
“We are grateful that Treasury has released the funds which will enable work to resume at the Lake Gwayi-Shangani,” he said.
Lake Gwayi-Shangani, is one of the Second Republic’s flagship projects that have the potential to transform livelihoods of communities across the country.
The big dam’s pipeline will not only bring water to Bulawayo but will enable communities to establish irrigation schemes along the pipeline thereby creating a greenbelt.
Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo Water Project involves construction of the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, 10MW mini hydro power station, 252km pipeline with six booster stations from the dam to Cowdray Park in Bulawayo, 220ML/day Cowdray Park water treatment plant and communities along the pipeline can establish irrigation schemes on 10 000ha.
Government has since completed the Tugwi Mukosi Combination masterplan and is in the process of developing Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi Combination masterplans.
Giving an update report on the progress made on the project, Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Engineer Amos Marawa said the dam construction remained at 70,9 percent completion and said there is a need to accelerate construction in order to impound water during the 2025/26 rainy season.
“The height of the wall is 39 metres out of 72m and there is need to construct more to start impounding water during this coming rainy season.
“To complete the 22m, Treasury has committed to disburse US$4m per month, which translates to 2m increase on the dam wall each month,” he said.
Eng Marawa said valuation of properties for reorganisation was complete with an estimated total value of about US$2 million in 27 villages with a total of 734 households, five properties at Lubimbi Business Centre and eight institutional centres among the affected. The construction of houses and reorganisation process is now awaiting disbursement of funds from Treasury. The settlement will be equipped with all requisite infrastructure and social amenities including reliable portable water.
