The ManicaPost
Senior Reporter
MAROWANYATI Dam in Buhera —which experienced more than 10 years of deferment under the old regime of ex-president Mr Robert Mugabe —has been completed and is already impounding water.Construction of the 50 million cubic metre dam resumed under the new administration of President Emmerson Mnagagwa, which made its completion one of its key priorities.
The contractor, at one point, pulled out of the project citing failure by the previous Government to pay — but the Second Republic made sure payments for completed works are processed on time.
The dam, whose construction is being administered by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), is 94 percent complete.
Only the spillway is outstanding.
President Mnangagwa’s Government is implementing the bulk water supply scheme as part its efforts to foster reliable access to water for communities where the impact of climate change is being keenly felt.
The total cost of the project is US$33, 251, 852, 69.
Engineer Alouis Katsande, who is working with the contractor, said about five million cubic meters of water have since been impounded since December 2018.
“The dam is 94 percent complete, with the spillway only outstanding,” he said.
“The dam has already impounded about five million cubic meters of water since its completion in December. It has a carrying capacity of 50 million cubic metres and the river has a carrying capacity of 182 million cubic metres, meaning it takes one full rain season to fill up the dam,” he said.
Eng Katsande said four million cubic meters of water in the dam was ‘dead water’.
“In terms of the spillway, it is about 15 percent complete, with excavations at 99 percent; embankment at 99 percent; valve box construction and intake tower are also at 99 percent while the chimney drain is fully complete,” he said.
“The other outstanding works like putting cab stones on the dam wall will be done after the rain season. On the spillway, we are now working on the key trench which I am sure will be complete soon,” said Eng Katsande.
Eng Katsande said the dam is expected to irrigate about 1 250 hectares in Buhera, supply water to Murambinda growth point and Dorowa Mine.
Agriculture Minister Rtd Air Chief Marshal Min Shiri, who was accompanied by directors from his office and other Government officials during the tour Marowanyati yesterday, said Government has availed additional funding towards its completion.
“Government has availed funds towards the completion of the dam project. There is no reason for further delays as everything is in place,” he said.
Minister Shiri said Government has played its part and challenged the locals to fully utilise the water.
“The construction of the dam is in line with Government’s vision to become a middle class economy by 2030. The dam will irrigate about 1 250ha, supply water to Dorowa Mine and other small mines. Government has played its part and what is left is for people to utilise the water,” he said.
Minister Shiri said there was need to look at other dams like Rusape and Nerutanga in Buhera to see how they can be fully utilised.
“I will inform the President that the people of Buhera are happy about the completion of the dam and will utilise the water to improve their lives. Our plan is to start allocate people pieces of land for irrigation,” he said.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba called for the revamp of Mupudzi Dam in Chimanimani and introduction of agricultural projects around Rusape Dam.
“Mupudzi and Rusape are underutilised. We need these dams to be revitalised so that people benefit from them,” she said.
