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Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has pledged to help Zimbabwe build 24 new dams by 2027, as it commits to working closely with the Government in climate-proofing agriculture and making sure the country regains its status as the breadbasket of Southern Africa.

The dam projects are part of the partnership with the Government financed to the tune of about US$65 million, targeting mainly provinces of Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South and Manicaland, according to UNDP Zimbabwe resident representative, Dr Ayodele Odusola.

Speaking during an interview on the sidelines of the agency’s 2024 retreat panel discussion and project sites visit in Bulawayo and Umzingwane on Wednesday, Dr Odusola said they have since completed two dams, including Wanezi Dam in Insiza District, and were targeting seven more by December this year.

“As UNDP, we are keen to make sure we walk with the Government and people of Zimbabwe for the country to retain its status as the food basket of the Southern African Development Community,” he said.

“We strongly believe this is doable, but we are averse that we can’t do this alone, we need the Government, we need the people, private partnerships and all our development partners on board so that we achieve this goal.”

Dr Odusola said the dam project funding will partly come from Government, which will contribute US$20 million, with one of UNDP’s development partners, Climate Fund, which will pour in US$28 million with the Climate Adaptation Water and Energy Project (CAWEP) chipping in with US$16 million.

“We strongly believe that between next year and 2027, we will complete the balance,” said Dr Odusola, who met President Mnangagwa on Monday last week and assured him that the UNDP is willing to work with Zimbabwe in its devolution and decentralisation drive.

Dr Odusola said Wanezi Dam was constructed so that communities can quickly adapt to climate change and for UNDP to challenge the effects of the El Nino weather effect, at the same time contributing to the national goal of transforming agriculture. The dam was destroyed by Cyclone Eline in 2000.

“The project was a complete rehabilitation of the dam and we are also planning water reticulation, which will cover about 33km where we will take water from the dam and bring it to the communities around there, and the entire district,” said Dr Odusola.

UNDP is looking at projects in Zimbabwe within the next three- and-a-half years that are worth close to US$500 million. The Global Fund is going to take the largest share of about US$430 million.

“When I informed the President of what we are doing and the impact of the projects, he was amazed at this initiative and to show him that we are walking the talk, I further told him that two dams have already been completed,” said Dr Odusola.

Permanent Secretary for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, his counterparts Ambassador Rudo Chitiga and Mr Paul Nyoni who are with the Ministry of Skills Audit and Development, and Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution respectively as well as Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, also graced the retreat held in Umzingwane District.

The retreat saw the entourage touring several projects being undertaken in Bulawayo by the UNDP and Government such as the construction of an incinerator building and installation of a 250kg/hr incinerator, a 350kW solar installation, which is under construction at Mpilo Central and United Bulawayo Hospitals respectively, as well as the National Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory (NTRBL), which is undergoing an upgrade to meet World Health Organisation (WHO) BSC III standards.