Dam Project Gets $152bn
Source: The Herald (Harare)
Date: 7 November 2005
Author: Anon
The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust (MZWT) has received $152 billion from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe to fund the ongoing construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, the project patron, Cde John Nkomo said.
Cde Nkomo said the money was disbursed last week under the Central Bank's Productive Sector Facility.
"The money is a loan to MZWT which we will pay back. We are pouring in a lot of money because this is an investment," said Cde Nkomo.
Last year MZWT got $25 billion from the central bank.
Cde Nkomo, who is also the Speaker of Parliament expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the project, saying it would be completed as scheduled.
"I am quite pleased with the progress because the project is already taking shape. It is an achievement although we still have a lot to do," he said.
Cde Nkomo said after the completion of the dam, a green belt would be established along the pipeline bringing water to Bulawayo.
"I hope we would be able to venture into horticulture, fishing and tourism. This is a major development in Matabeleland region.
"Water from the dam will also supply the Hwange National Park. We want everyone to work for the success of the project so that we can shame those who are criticising the project,' he said.
Cde Nkomo applauded the China International Water and Electric Cooperation for showing commitment to the project.
"When the Chinese started there was no road, but look at the development now. These people are really hardworking. I would like to thank the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority Holdings chairman Dr Sydney Gata, for his efforts in making sure that there is electricity at the site. Dr Gata has been really helpful," he said.
Cde Nkomo commended Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) for taking the initiative to visit the project to check for themselves progress.
"The residents have seen for themselves that we are working to improve the water supply in the city. We have been communicating through the press all along, but today we had the opportunity of meeting and sharing what we have," he said.
Cde Nkomo encouraged BURA members to relay the information on the progress of the project to residents.
The MZWT patron said councils in the province should also visit the Gwayi-Shangani Dam to check on the progress and plan accordingly.
The Gwayi-Shangani Dam assistant resident engineer, Mr Allen Mashaire, said the water source would have a carrying capacity of more than 630 000 cubic metres and the height of the wall stands at 74 metres at the deepest section.
"The reservoir will stretch for 18 km and will be about 1km from the Gwayi Bridge."
Mr Mashaire said work started in September last year and excavation is expected to be complete in April next year.
He said the project was stalled by shortage of fuel, explosives, power codes and drill bits.
"MZWT has so far supplied us with diesel and explosives. We hope that if the cooperation continues, we are going to meet our target. Under normal circumstances, we use about 2 800 litres of diesel per day," said Mr Mashaire.
He said there were 85 workers at the construction site.
The BURA chairman, Mr Winos Dube said he was excited by the progress so far..
"The project has really taken off, it is not a political gimmick as some people would want us to believe... There is no way it could have happened overnight. This tour was an eye opener for us as residents of Bulawayo," he said.
Construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam is the first phase of a project to bring water from the Zambezi River. The second phase will be the construction of a pipeline from the dam to Bulawayo, while the third will involve the construction of a pipeline from the Zambezi River to the dam. The pipeline from the Zambezi River would be used to replenish the dam only when the water levels drop.