Elton Manguwo
FOUNDATION excavations for the first and second phase pump station for the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, which is now 70 percent towards completion, is now underway alongside the production of concrete aggregates at the quarry as the Government fast-tracks construction of the dam to climate proof agriculture in Matabeleland North.
In a recent statement Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) corporate communications and marketing manager Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the dam would go a very long way in providing water for irrigation and domestic use.
The Gwayi-Shangani Dam, which now nears the finalisation point will hold 691 million cubic litres of water to facilitate irrigation projects in the surrounding areas when completed.
“The biggest opportunity from the project will through its facilitation of agriculture projects through irrigation while supplying water to the Bulawayo and the Matabeleland region,” said Mrs Munyonga.
ZINWA is spearheading the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam as part of efforts to modernise the agriculture sector to ensure farmers produce all year round.
The dam is an important investment in Matabeleland, as it will accelerate Government’s agribusiness strategy in the region by providing a basis for intensive farming and maximum productivity by way of farmers increasing their hectares through maximum production.
“The dam, which is located in a semi-arid region with a sizeable number of communal growers’ will assist the area in reducing poverty and in turn contribute to rural industrialisation and development.”
The Government initiated the project that is one of the 12 high impact dams aimed at modernising the sector in line with the agenda of facilitating a contemporary, sustainable and viable smart agricultural sector.
Mrs Munyonga added: “These 12 dams are expected to go a very along way in providing water for irrigation and domestic use in different parts of the country.”
Infrastructural projects such as dam construction are among the factors expected to ensure the attainment of an upper-middle income economy by 2030 anchored by the National Development Strategy 1.
According to figures from the Budget statement presented in parliament by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube a few months ago, the largest beneficiary was Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Matabeleland North province with a $6, 2 billion allocation.
Mrs Munyonga commended Treasury for the allocation saying it was going to help in current projects.
“ZINWA has taken note of the budgetary allocations Treasury has directed towards dam construction projects and the apportionment will add drive to the projects, which are at various stages of completion,” said Mrs Munyonga.