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Precious Manomano

Herald Reporter

Plans for more dams to improve water supplies to urban areas and support agricultural production are at an advanced stage.

In his 2018 election manifesto, President Mnangagwa promised that his Government would construct more dams, and true to his word, many new dams have already been commissioned while others are under construction.

Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr Anxious Masuka recently said additional dams would be constructed for urban areas to provide water for domestic use, irrigation, fisheries and electricity.

He said 80 percent of water that is availed to any urban environment was discharged as waste water and he was concerned that there was neglect in terms of infrastructural maintenance and upgrades.

“As Government we see the neglect of waste water in most urban areas, which pushes us to look for new sites to construct more dams for which we include a waste water management component, particularly for Harare and Bulawayo’’ he said.

In a recent interview, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Deputy Minister Davis Marapira revealed that there was significant progress in construction of dams, adding that Kunzvi would augment Harare Metropolitan supplies, and the giant Gwayi-Shangani dam would solve Bulawayo’s water problems.

“Gwayi-Shangani will facilitate smooth flow of agriculture projects through irrigation while supplying water to the Bulawayo and the Matabeleland region. All large dams will be done by 2027. Water bodies should be viewed in line with the desire to achieve food security and in line with Vision 2030,” he said.

A political analyst, Dr Hamadziripi Dube said constructing dams was a noble idea, which would help ameliorate water challenges in the cities. This will also eradicate water-borne diseases, in cities.

“Construction of dams for cities is a welcome development. This will go a long way in solving water challenges. Cities will be turned green because of the constant supply of water. Dam construction projects by the Government have a far-reaching impact in that even future generations will also benefit. We appreciate the efforts by the Second Republic in ensuring that water challenges are eradicated,” he said.

The Second Republic is constructing dams across the country to address water challenges and also climate-proof the agricultural sector, which remains the mainstay of the country’s economy.

Harare residents have praised the initiative, saying it would go a long way in alleviating poverty and hunger.

Mrs Tarisai Mawurukira of Glen View, Harare, observed that dams would provide water to the surrounding communities and help create jobs too.

“Dams are going to provide tourism, fishing and food self-sufficiency if residents use the water well. People are going to benefit a lot. People will irrigate their small portions and get food for their families. The community will also benefit from nutritious food in the form of fish,” she said.

Mr Petros Mlambo of Warren Park 1, Harare, said the initiative would help reduce challenges of water-borne diseases such as cholera and typhoid.

“There was a burden of cholera outbreaks because of water shortages but now we thank the Government the initiative, which will save Harare from such disease outbreaks. We appeal to them to speed up the implementation of this initiative to save the people from diseases,” he said.

Mrs Mary Muzanenhamo of Dzivaresekwa Extension said more dams would help those in the fishing business.