‘Expedite Gwayi-Shangani Dam construction’
TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Government should expedite construction works at the Gwayi -Shangani Dam to help address the prevailing water challenges in the city of Bulawayo, residents have said.
The government has set the end of next month as the completion deadline with the commissioning of the dam expected before year-end.
“The water shortages in Bulawayo are a prolonged problem resulting in severe water shedding,” Thembelani Dube, the Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association secretary said.
He added: “As a result the residents are calling upon the government to speed up the construction of the Gwayi Shangani Dam so that the water can be connected and help the residents in Bulawayo.
“The challenge is that the population of Bulawayo has increased and the dams that supply Bulawayo are no longer able to supply the population that is there. As the residents association we urgue the speedy completion of the Gwayi-Shangani dam and the connection of the pipe so that it can alleviate the shortages that are being faced in the city”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Bulawayo City Council will introduce a citywide 24-hour water shedding programme starting Monday next week.
Bulawayo draws water from Inyakuni, Insiza, Upper Ncema, Lower Ncema, Mtshabezi and Umzingwane dams as well as Nyamandlovu and Epping Forest aquifers.
Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said: “The City of Bulawayo would like to advise members of the public that due to the continued deteriorating water situation in the city’s supply dams and projections of the decommissioning of the Umzingwane Dam during the month of June, a 24-hour water shedding programme will be implemented with effect from Monday 13 June 2022.”
According to the proposed schedule, Bellevue, Newtown West, West Somerton, Montrose, Southwold, Sizinda, Tshabalala, Nkulumane 1-5, Nkulumane 10-12, Nketa 6,7 and 8, Mpopoma South, Old Pelandaba and Iminyela will have water cuts from Thursday at 7:30am and restoration will be done the following day at the same time.
