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Mangaliso Lawrence Kabulika
PURSUANT to its policy of leaving no one and no place behind in programmes of development, Government is committed to make good its plans to secure reliable water supplies for both agricultural and domestic purposes in urban areas and is moving to complete dam projects that include Kunzvi and Muchekeranwa pipeline for Harare as well as the Gwayi-Shangani Dam for Bulawayo.In his address at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) joint sector review workshop in Kadoma yesterday, chief director of Water Resources and Irrigation Development, Engineer Tinayeshe Mutazu said by investing in water supply and management the Government aimed to mitigate impact of droughts, enhance agricultural productivity and promote economic growth in line with the Vision 2030.

In addition to the dams and pipeline projects, the Government is also placing strong emphasis on catchment management to ensure proper sustainable utilisation of water resources.

“As we push to achieve Vision 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), it is imperative to prioritise this sector, as it an all-round enabler to food security and economic development.

“We are prioritising rehabilitation and establishing new water supply stations, ground water monitoring and transboundary water resources management. We are also putting strong emphasis on catchment management,” said Eng Mutazu.

Eng Mutazu also highlighted the ongoing efforts to review the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) Acts, which are integral to the successful execution of these initiatives.

“These are the statutes that govern water operations in Zimbabwe and the review process aims to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework governing water management in the country,” he said.
The Government has also introduced commercial gardens at all water points being implemented under the Presidential Rural Development Programme.

“Government is seeking to put one-hectare gardens at these points, which will be run as commercial businesses. These are meant to be run in a sustainable manner to uplift people’s standards of living,” said Eng Mutazu.
The construction of the major dams comes at a time when the Second Republic is establishing dams across the country to address water challenges and also climate-proof the agricultural sector, which remains the mainstay of the country’s economy.

Through the provision of adequate water supplies, President Mnangagwa has made it his mission to make sure that Zimbabwe becomes food secure.

Other major dams under construction are Semwa in Rushinga, Ziminya in Nkayi, Matabeleland North, Vungu in Silobela, Midlands with Government targeting to complete at least 15 such dam projects by the year 2027.