The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure Senior Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa yesterday (Thursday) had a hectic programme in Macheke during which he commissioned Muchekeranwa Dam and the Presidential Community Fisheries Scheme before launching the Muchekeranwa-Wenimbi Pipeline Project.
The dam project started in 2016 and was finished in December 2020 after the New Dispensation led by President Mnangagwa released funds.
Muchekeranwa is located on the boundary of Makoni and Marondera districts, across the Macheke River, a major tributary of the Save River.
It has a carrying capacity of 75 000 000 cubic metres and will irrigate about 2 250 hectares, equally divided between the two districts.
In Makoni, the dam will target smallholder, commercial farmers, Chiduku-Ngowe (44ha) and Romsely (500ha) irrigation schemes, with the aim of achieving and sustaining agricultural projects to provide sound footing for sustained economic growth and development.
President Mnangagwa said the completion of the dam highlights the Government’s investment in key and strategic water bodies around the country and represents a significant turnaround as economic reforms have enabled freeing up of resources for capital projects.
“The construction and completion of Muchekeranwa Dam is a lifeline for the people of Manicaland and Mashonaland East. It will transform and uplift the lives of our people as we seek to attain an upper middle economy by 2030. Life is water. Water is life, and today you are witnessing the commissioning of this massive water reservoir which is already full to capacity as we had lots of water this season.
“Government is implementing the bulk water supply scheme as part of its effort to foster reliable access to water for communities where the impact of climate change is being keenly felt, ensure food security, import substitution, exports diversification, value addition and beneficiation; employment creation and rural development,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa said the water reservoir has the potential to transform and support lives of families and agricultural communities that live along its banks and ensuring that Marondera will not encounter water obstacles and bottlenecks for urban and industrial use.
Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology is also a beneficiary, both for irrigation and domestic use.
Rusape and Headlands can also draw water from the dam.
President Mnangagwa said the fisheries programme will be integrated into the new Village Kumusha, a concept being developed by the Department of Irrigation and spearheaded by the Department of Fisheries and Aaquatic Resources, working together with ZINWA, ZimParks and local authorities for the benefit of surrounding communities in Makoni and Marondera.
President Mnangagwa said the fisheries project is targeted at youths, women and other vulnerable groups as it will contribute immensely to nutritional security of the communities around the dam, create employment for the vulnerable groups, and generate revenue for the communities and the provincial economies of both Manicaland and Mashonaland East provinces and ultimately to the national economy.
“Those close to this dam should effectively exploit water from Muchekeranwa Dam. Chiefs Makoni, Svosve and Mangwande, this infrastructure is yours, I implore you to educate your subjects about the adverse effects of siltation. Put in place mechanisms to stop stream bank cultivation and ensure that you preserve this dam. If you conserve it, you will continue having irrigation in place, food production will increase, thus reducing hunger and poverty among the communities,” said President Mnangagwa.
The dam was constructed through a joint venture between the main contractor, China Nanchang Engineering, and Multiforce Contractors Joint Venture.
Multiforce Contractors did masonry and concrete works.
ZINWA designed and supervised its construction.
