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Elita Chikwati in Rushinga
Parliamentarians have called on Government to capacitate the Zimbabwe National Water Authority so it can acquire machinery for dam construction, rather than rely on foreign contractors to spearhead projects. This came out during a tour of the Chimhanda Water Supply and Chimhanda Irrigation Scheme in Rushinga by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Environment, Water, Tourism and Hospitality on Wednesday.

The parliamentarians expressed concern that the country was losing millions of dollars by contracting foreign construction companies to build and maintain infrastructure when Zinwa had the expertise and only lacked the appropriate machinery.

Committee chairperson Cde Wonder Mashange said by capacitating Zinwa, Government would save money.

“From what we have gathered from the visits, Zinwa should be given enough resources to discharge its mandate of developing and maintaining water bodies and supply water to local authorities,” he said.

“We are losing millions of dollars through contracting foreign companies. Zinwa has the skilled engineers who only lack machinery.

“Government should acquire machinery and equipment and it becomes State property and can then be used for different projects.

“If we are to develop ourselves and build the nation, we should have our own things.

“We have spent a lot of money on projects. Tokwe Mukosi was constructed by an Italian company, Mtshabezi and Semwa dams are being constructed by Chinese contractors when we can do it on our own if we have the machinery. This is what we call indigenisation.”

Briefing the committee on the progress of Semwa Dam in Rushinga, Zinwa director for engineering and hydrology services Engineer Taurai Maurukira said it was possible for the water authority to undertake the project.

He said Government was paying the contractor $140 million when Zinwa required $70 million for the same job.

“Government can reduce costs by 50 percent if Zinwa is capacitated,” said Eng Maurukira.

“If we are given funds we can buy equipment and construct dams on our own without contracting foreign companies.

“The foreign companies that are being contracted to construct dams only bring the machinery. We have the expertise; we have the key manpower.

“We can use the same machinery for other projects and this reduces costs.”

Semwa Dam is being constructed to bring a solution to the water challenges being faced by Rushinga and Mt Darwin communities and it will have the capacity to irrigate 12 000 hectares.

The areas rely on Chimhanda Dam which has not been able to meet the demand for water due to a small treatment plant.