STAFF WRITER
FINANCE minister Mthuli Ncube has assigned US$55.5 million towards the Gwayi-Shangani dam construction, saying it is a top priority project.
Delivering his 2021 budget on Thursday, Ncube said ZWL$ 4.5 billion allocated to Gwayi-Shangani dam and translates to US$55.5 million using official exchange rate, is the bulk of money allocated to dam projects in the country.
Ncube set aside ZWL$10.7 billion for dam projects.
“Completion of Gwayi-Shangani Dam, now at 40%, is being accorded top priority with the bulk of the allocation of ZWL$4.5 billion,” Ncube said.
“This marks the first phase of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, meant to provide a long-term solution to the water challenges facing the City of Bulawayo, whilst also creating a green belt that will benefit communities along the pipeline,” he added.
The money, Ncube emphasised, will be used to construct 46 metres of the dam wall, a power plant and outlet works.
Further, there will be the installation of precast concrete formwork for drainage galleries and construction of spillway apron and outlet works tunnel.
So far, only 11 metres of the Gwayi-Shangani dam wall has been constructed out of the 72 metres.
Bulawayo has been grappling with debilitating water woes in recent years and the Gwayi-Shangani dam is touted as the panacea to the problem.
The dam, is located at a gorge in Mabale, Hwange district, where Gwayi and Shangani rivers enjoin to form a confluence that feeds into the Zambezi river.
Other dam projects that Ncube set aside money for are Bindura, Causeway, Chivhu, Dande and Tunnel, Marovanyati, Tuli-Manyange, Semwa, Vungu and Silverstroom.
Also, Ncube awarded ZWL$535 million to Zimbabwe National Water Authority.
On Harare water challenges Ncube set aside ZWL$250 million.
“Taking into account existing water challenges for Harare, the government has also set aside ZWL$250 million to enable commencement works for the Kunzvi Water Project,” he said.
