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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu
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GOVERNMENT has pledged to expeditiously release funds for the completion of 12 high-impact dams being constructed countrywide.

The dams are set to have on-site hydro-power stations upon completion in line with Government’s thrust of rural industrialisation and boosting food production.

Electricity will be generated at the new dams and provide power to rural communities and irrigation schemes.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) which has been given a new mandate to drive the realisation of a drought-proof, water-secure and climate-proof nation has estimated that the 12 high-impact dams will cost US$1,1 billion.

Under its new thrust, Zinwa will provide potable and dip tanks water, establish nutrition gardens and introduce fishery projects and orchards.

The Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa is prioritising infrastructure development, which is a springboard towards the attainment of an upper middle-income economy by 2030.

Under President Mnangagwa’s stewardship, several key projects that have been lying idle for years due to funding inadequacies are now being implemented and some have been completed.

The dams under construction include Lake Gwayi-Shangani and Ziminya Dam in Matabeleland North, Tuli Manyange Dam in Matabeleland South, Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East, Vungu Dam in the Midlands, Silverstroom Dam in Mashonaland Central, Chivhu Dam in Mashonaland East, Machekeranwa Dam in Manicaland, Dande Dam in Mashonaland Central, Marovanyati Dam in Manicaland, Bindura Dam in Mashonaland Central and Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central.

Speaking during a recent visit to Tuli Manyange Dam construction site, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development Cde Davis Marapira said Government is closely monitoring the ongoing construction works at all the 12 dams.

“Tuli Manyange Dam is the biggest project in Matabeleland South and we have to ensure that it is completed timeously. It is important that funds are released as soon as possible and Treasury has promised to prioritise such projects,” he said.

The works here at Tuli Manyange Dam are at 40 percent completion.

Deputy Minister Marapira said Lake Gwayi-Shangani is now at 70 percent completion with $6 million being directed towards the project every month.

“We have changed the policy in the manner in which we build our dams. We have had situations in the past when water from dams like Tokwe Mukosi and Manyuchi Dam was not fully utilised for a long time and these are the anomalies that the Second Republic is addressing,” he said.

He said the approach now is to ensure irrigation schemes are established concurrently with the construction of the dams.

“ Within the next one-and-a-half years Tuli Manyange will be having an irrigation scheme,” said Deputy Minister Marapira.

He said the construction of dams across all provinces is in line with President Mnangagwa’s development agenda of leaving no one and no place behind.

Zinwa site engineer Maxwell Zulu said Tuli Manyange Dam construction is now at 40 percent completion while the saddle dam one is 80 percent complete and saddle dam two is 20 percent complete.

Eng Zulu said foundation excavations at the main dam are 70 percent complete.

“Once the dam is completed we will move on to construct Tuli Mosa Dam, which is about 15 kilometres upstream and has a capacity of 500 million cubic metres. Tuli Mosa will feed water into Tuli Manyange Dam,” he said.

Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Abedinico Ncube said Government is committed to completing the Tuli Manyange Dam, which had stalled for many years.

“Ever since the project started under the Second Republic there is a lot of work that has been done.

This dam will transform lives for the local communities and the entire province. We hope that Government will continue to push Treasury so that funds are released timeously for the project to be completed,” he said.

The Tuli-Manyange Dam project was first mooted way back in the early 1960s by the then Rhodesian government. In 2006, Government awarded a contract for the construction of the dam but due to financial constraints the contractor suspended work.

It is envisaged that once Tuli- Manyange Dam is complete, at least 1 600 hectares will be put under irrigation. The dam is expected to benefit communities in Vela, Guyu Business Centre, Ntalale Business Centre, Chelesa Business Centre, Sizhubane Barracks, Manama Mission and Business Centre, Sebasa and Mankonkoni irrigation schemes. –@DubeMatutu