TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
The Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in charge of implementation and monitoring of governmental programmes, Jorum Gumbo has urged the Gwayi-Shangani Dam contractors to engage local people in the project.
Gumbo made the remarks after touring the pipeline under construction to link up the dam and the city of Bulawayo last week.
The 245 kilometres (km) Gwayi-Shangani-Bulawayo pipeline is expected to have a far-reaching positive impact on the region as it will spur rural industrialisation through irrigation projects.
At least 10 000 hectares of land has been identified for irrigation projects, while a 10MW hydro-electric plant will be built at the lake.
The dam will also supply water to the city of Bulawayo.
“It is my hope that members of the local community are participating in the project through employment opportunities in various aspects of its implementation. In my view, community participation promotes a strong sense of ownership for the project,” Gumbo said.
He added: “The rapid development that we seek to achieve through the 100 Day Cycle Programme can only be achieved if communities are allowed to actively participate in the projects as opposed to being passive beneficiaries.”
Presenting his 2023 National Budget on Thursday last week, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mthuli Ncube, revealed that the project was at 69% completion and the dam height is now at 31 meters.
“With regards to Gwayi-Shangani, the project is at 69% completion and the dam height is now at 31 metres out of the required 72 meters. Whilst a total of 140km has been cleared for the construction of the pipeline, out of which 9 km have since been excavated with pipeline trenching in progress, “Ncube said.
He added: “Besides addressing the water challenges for the city of Bulawayo, Gwayi-Shangani Dam will transform the lives of communities living along the 245 km pipeline by creating an agriculture green belt from the dam site, to the City of Bulawayo.”
