TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO
Chinese contractor, China Water and Electric Corporation, has adopted fly-ash and roller compacted concrete technology to fast-track the construction of Gwayi-Shangani Dam in Matabeleland North Province as well as reducing related costs.
The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) engineers are also part of the construction team.
It is the first time fly-ash, a coal waste, is being used at a major project in Zimbabwe.
ZINWA assistant resident engineer, Lucio Chayeruka said: “From the studies conducted this is the first dam in Zimbabwe where fly ash as well as the roller compacted technology were applied. Fly ash is a fine powder that comes from coal and it has almost the same properties as cement and it is also a good binder.”
He added: “We are utilising roller compacted concrete technology instead of our normal convectional concrete. It allows for fast construction and reduced cost as well.”
Chayeruka, however, said there are growing fears that rain might force the contractor to take a break.
“The rains are going to impact us.”
The contractor has rescheduled to complete the project in June next year.
“We need about US$8m for us to construct at least four metres every month to meet the June deadline. The resumption is quite important to us given that we are working on the June 2023 deadline for its completion,” he said.
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution permanent secretary, Paul Nyoni said the Gwayi Shangani is meant to be a long term solution to Bulawayo’s water problems.
Meanwhile, Marjorie Munyonga the ZINWA corporate communications and marketing manager said water levels in some of the country’s major dams have started rising.
“The national dam storage levels however remain on a declining trend as water withdrawals from the dams are still higher than the inflows being recorded. There was however; a marked reduction in the rate of water use across the country with the national dam level average closing the past week at 78. 8%,” she said.
