Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE rehabilitation of Wanezi Dam has revived hopes of community members following the establishment of a 35-hectare irrigation scheme and other income-generating projects.
The community has also benefitted under Government’s Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme with 10 000 tilapia fingerlings having been stocked at Wanezi Dam. A total of 10 000 more fingerlings are set to be stocked in the dam.
Constructed in 1952, Wanezi Dam, which was a major source of livelihood for farmers, was damaged by Cyclone Dineo in 2016, leaving villagers in despair.
Last year, the dam was rehabilitated under the Community Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Project (Cawep) funded by the British Embassy and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) working with Government departments.
Wanezi Irrigation Scheme vice chairperson, Mr Dingani Ntini, said 78 households are set to benefit from the irrigation scheme. He said they are looking forward to having crops during the year’s winter season.
“We are glad that rehabilitation of the dam has resulted in the establishment of an irrigation scheme. We have long awaited for such a project. This irrigation scheme will go a long way in ensuring food security in our community and ensure that members get income,” said Mr Ntini.
“Our irrigation scheme is nearing completion and we hope that all will be set for us to plant our wheat, which will be our first crop. Once we start working in the scheme, we will ensure that we maximise production and we will put the scheme to good use.”
A villager, Ms Bongani Sibanda said after the dam was damaged, the community has been struggling to get water for domestic use as well as their animals. She said they could not run income generating projects. Ms Sibanda said rehabilitation of the dam has ushered in income generating projects, which will improve livelihoods.
Insiza Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Shepherd Tshuma said during droughts, Wanezi Dam serves as a water source for over 10 000 cattle from Insiza South Constituency.
He said the dam will also support development and expansion works earmarked for Skuta Business Centre, which is located close to the dam.
“The dam has been a great source of water, in particular, for livestock within the area. The dam is at the boundary of Wanezi Mission, run by the Brethren in Christ Church and resettlement areas, which means both the institutions and the community are benefitting. During severe droughts, the dam serves as a source of water for over 10 000 cattle from Insiza South.
“Cattle from across the constituency also come and graze here during drought situations. In the past, community members used to come and camp here so that their animals could graze,” said Mr Tshuma.
“For the past eight years, this area hasn’t had reliable water for livestock and the school.”
Mr Tshuma said according to the district’s strategic plan, Skuta Business Centre will be developed into a growth point and Wanezi Dam will support the development activities.
UNDP Cawep project manager, Mr Solomon Mutambara said the 35-hectare irrigation scheme is at 70 percent, with works expected to have been completed in April.
He said the project of rehabilitating the dam, piped water scheme and establishing the irrigation scheme among other works is valued at US$3,3 million.
“A feasibility study was conducted in 2022 to establish the kind of dam that could be built. Work started in January last year and we completed it in December,” said Mr Tshuma.
“To enable production utilisation of the water, the Government has come in with a fisheries programme. There is also a 35ha irrigation scheme being established, which is now at 70 percent. We hope to have finished the works by end of April. We are left with the abstraction pump house and some pipe works,” said Mr Mutambara.
The dam is also supplying two schools and there is also a seven hectare irrigation scheme in the school,” he said. —@DubeMatutu
