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Wimbainashe Zhakata Mutare Correspondent
Authorities have raised concern that the $300 million Osborne Dam project in Mutasa district is lying idle more than a decade after its completion, despite numerous business opportunities available at the site.

The Osborne Dam site on Odzi River was identified in the 1950s and construction of the dam was completed in 1995.

The reservoir is arguably the largest in Manicaland, with a surface area reaching about 2 600 hectares.

It is over six kilometres wide and 66 metres deep and has a total water storage capacity of 400 million cubic metres.

Speaking during a tour of projects in Mutasa district on Tuesday, district administrator Mr Tendai Kapenzi emphasised the potential that Osborne Dam carried, whivh he said should be turned into real income-generating projects.

He said the dam site was a tourist attraction which could create wealth for the district and Zimbabwe as a whole.

“The tourist attraction could bring serious business opportunities that can benefit the whole country and there are a lot of activities such as skiing, boat cruising and many more that can be done here,” said Mr Kapenzi.

He said traffic to the site was low because of poor roads in the district, which the Mutasa Rural District Council was in the processes of rehabilitating.

“Once the district has good roads, people will start coming in to enjoy a lot of recreational activities that can be offered here,” Mr Kapenzi. “But there must be a site for these activities in place because this area is too quiet; there is need for some activities.”

Mr Kapenzi said the entry fee to tour Osborne Dam was steep and could also be serving as a deterrent to visitors interested in the site.

Mutasa RDC chief executive officer Mr George Bandure said Osborne Dam had for a long time remained generally underutilised besides the few fishing cooperatives that were operating from there.

“Judging by the numbers visiting the dam and the general lack of water sports, the sleeping giant of Manicaland still has to (realise its full potential),” said Mr Bandure.

“There are many opportunities like game viewing, braaing and nightclubs by the lakeside, residential accommodation such as chalets, possible house boating and even wedding receptions by the islands dotted rounf the dam. Osborne Dam is a world waiting to be explored since Zimbabwe is open for business.”

Mr Bandure also called for investors to make inquiries with the district council and called for submission of sound, funded or bankable investment initiatives.