By Staff Reporter
Political and community leaders in Matabeleland North Province have applauded Government for availing US$350 million for the resumption of construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam (GSD).
The US$1.2 billion project, which had been stalled due to funding constraints and the outbreak of Covid-19, is now set for completion by December 2021.
GSD is part of the grand Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) which is expected to end water challenges in Matabeleland provinces and Bulawayo upon completion.
Political and community leaders who spoke to this publication said the dam was a game changer in the province and beyond.
“The Gwayi-Shangani dam is a big project in the Second Republic and we are grateful to Government for availing funds for the construction of the dam. My community especially the youths will benefit immensely through skills transfer as they work at the dam site.
“At the same time jobs created there will also cushion the community thereby improving living standards of locals. The project will also boost wildlife in the area as well as domestic animals. Even wildlife from Botswana will be attracted to the Zimbabwean side because of the dam,” said Chief Mabhikwa, Vusimuzi Khumalo from Lupane District.
Chief Nelukoba, Boy Joseph Dingani Nelukoba from Dete (Hwange District) said the dam will give birth to new economic activities.
“Tourism in my area will get a boost, as boat cruises and fishing for both leisure and commercial will be introduced in the area. This will further create wealth for my people and beyond. We thank Government for this initiative,” he said.
ZANU PF Victoria Falls District Chairperson, Nkosilathi Jiyane said, “As Matabeleland we welcome such a massive project with open hands. As they say, ‘water is life,’ and true to that, this project will breathe a new life into the communities in the province. Bulawayo will never be the same again. The perennial challenges of water in the city will be a thing of the past.
“Thumbs up to the New Dispensation, all we need in Matabeleland are practical solutions to our problems. Combined with the generation of electricity, this project will indeed be a timely intervention by Government to a plethora of challenges faced by the people from this region,” said the Victoria Falls District Chairperson.
Construction work at the GSD is now at 39 percent complete with the dam wall now eight metres high from the foundation level stretching for 200 metres across the Gwayi and Shangani rivers’ confluence.
China International Water and Electric Corporation is the main contractor working in partnership with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority on the project that was mooted in 1912.
