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Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
President Mnangagwa will soon visit Beitbridge to assess the state of irrigation schemes and engage local farmers on the challenges affecting production, a Government official said yesterday.

Beitbridge assistant district administrator Mr Jahson Mugodzwa told stakeholders that the President is scheduled to tour Zhovhe Dam and the irrigation projects that draw from the water body — Ndambe Phase One and Two — before his interface with farmers.

Zhovhe Dam is one of the country’s top 10 water bodies and it also provides a lifeline for the border town.

“We have already started preparations for the President’s not-so-far visit to our district, though we are yet to get the exact dates,” he said.

Mr Mugodzwa made the remarks during the official handover of a waste water treatment and recycling project to Beitbridge Municipality by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).

The initiative is a brainchild of Dr Ephraim Whingwiri, head of Zimbabwe Earthworm Farm.

It uses, among other things, earthworms to clean, detoxify, disinfect and neutralise waste water from households in line with the United Nations World Water Day theme, “Waste water as a resource”.

Speaking at the same ceremony, EMA board member Mr Felix Moyo urged local authorities to adopt environmentally friendly technologies in service delivery.

“We also urge local authorities and members of the public in general to embrace the use of non-renewable energy sources, including biogas and solar,” said Mr Moyo.

“This pilot waste water treatment system has come as a possible solution to this challenge that Beitbridge Municipality has been facing.

“It is the first of its kind in Matabeleland South province. I believe that with such technologies, Zimbabwe will soon be spoilt for choice for sanitation technologies, with this one being environmentally friendly.

“More such projects should be adopted as they promote environment protection.

“This project does not only help in retaining water through recycling, but there is also the aspect of earthworm breeding, water separation and reduction through composting and the introduction of gardens, which can be adopted to improve people’s livelihoods.”

He said the initiative was a relief to residents in Beitbridge Ward 4 who have not been connected to the sewer reticulation system for over 10 years.

Beitbridge Mayor Councillor Showa Moyo said the local authority will continue exploring various strategies to accelerate infrastructure development and service delivery.