Emily Zondo
VILLAGERS in Lubimbi in Binga district are up in arms with government over the move to relocate them from their ancestral land to pave way for the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
At least 2 422 people are set to be affected.
However, a letter gleaned by The Zambezi Times directed to government indicates that the villagers are demanding a clear relocation plan.
“While the project brings along a number of benefits at national level and downstream riparian communities, it has its own negatives, especially to the Lubimbi community,” reads the letter.
“The project will see the relocation of 502 families or households. Lubimbi 2 Primary School will be submerged in water, so will be the dip tank. About 60 boreholes will be destroyed; roads and the Shangani Bridge will be destroyed as well as homes, latrines, cattle pens, arable land and grazing land.”
“Lubimbi High School falls outside the dam catchment. However; there are a significant number of learners from the affected villages whose schooling will be affected. At present, the number stands at 157 (94 girls and 63 boys, said the villagers.
“Communities from Lubimbi 2 will no longer have access to health services as Lubimbi Clinic will no longer be accessible. Arable land totalling 1 506 hectares will be affected or submerged in water. Irrigation schemes totalling 10 hectares will be destroyed. Dams supporting the irrigation schemes will also be destroyed.
“We have a big baobab tree and the hot springs where we perform our cultural rituals and they are likely to be destroyed or rendered inaccessible.
The villagers also raised concern on what will happen to the graves of the affected villages.
They however appealed for provincial authorities to come to Lubimbi and address community concerns.
“The place of relocation should be identified as a matter of urgency so that people can start building in light of the timelines set for dam completion.”
The villagers also said government should budget for the imminent relocation so as to cushion them.
“The current set up where the budget is only focusing on the construction of the dam, neglecting what happens to the affected people is not favourable,”
