Story by Wellington Makonese
The Government is seeking to eradicate perennial water challenges in urban settlements through continued investment in dam construction as a long term measure.
Adequate water supply remains the Achilles Heel of urban settlements such as Harare and Bulawayo owing to expanding populations, aging water works and contamination of the existing water bodies.
Briefing the media recently, the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and rural development, Dr Anxious Masuka revealed that the ultimate solutions lie in dam construction and refurbishment of treatment facilities which are on government’s radar
“We are looking at two additional water sources. The President commissioned Muchekeranwa Dam and the pipeline that leads to Wenimbi Dam. We want to accelerate the project and make use of Harahwa Dam and that can feed Chitungwiza. 2026 to 2027 we expect Kunzvi Dam,” he said.
Bulawayo and surrounding communities have not been left out with the Gwayi Shangani project getting support
“For Bulawayo, government has availed around 7 billion dollars for critical repairs for Mzingwane and purchase of other material, so that the Epping Forest can be able to go for 16 mega litres per day and 4 for farmers. Gwayi Shangani Lake is at 70 percent completion, the pipeline is 252km, we have done 139km bush clearance and at full capacity will have 220 mega litres,” added the minister.
The Second Republic has embarked on a dam construction overdrive which has given birth to Semwa Dam in Rushinga, Ziminya Dam in Nkayi, Matabeleland North, Vungu Dam in Silobela, Midlands, while Muchekeranwa Dam near Marondera in Mashonaland East Province has since been completed among others as a measure to provide for adequate water for home use and to support Agriculture.
