Staff Reporter

China handed over 66 boreholes to communities in Mashonaland East Province that would provide clean water to approximately 16 500 people across three districts.

The boreholes were completed by China Geo-Engineering Corporation as part of a larger initiative to drill 300 boreholes across four provinces in Zimbabwe.

Speaking at the handover ceremony held yesterday, Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe hailed the project as a game-changer for local communities battling water shortages and sanitation challenges.

“These boreholes will not only provide safe water to the affected communities but also serve as a stepping stone toward resilience building in future disasters. I am confident that these boreholes will be used to support nutritional gardens and provide livestock with much-needed water,” he said.

Minister Garwe also emphasised that the initiative would have a long-lasting impact, particularly as Mashonaland East Province has recorded suspected cholera cases in recent months.

“The initiative will have a lasting impact on local people by providing a reliable source of clean water for drinking and sanitation, especially in light of the suspected cholera cases recorded in the province,” he said.

Beyond addressing immediate water needs, Minister Garwe highlighted the broader significance of the project, commending China’s role in Zimbabwe’s development.

“This project has indicated a sign of cooperation, compassion, and unwavering support from our all-weather friend, the People’s Republic of China, to ensure access to safe water for all. Let us work together to safeguard this precious resource and ensure that it benefits future generations,” he added.

China’s economic and commercial counsellor at the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, Huang Minghai, said the borehole drilling initiative reflects the strong ties between the two nations and their shared commitment to tackling water scarcity and drought.

“Water is life, and these boreholes are more than infrastructure; they are lifelines for a brighter future,” Huang said.

He noted that the current 300-borehole project builds on decades of China-Zimbabwe cooperation in water infrastructure development.

“Over the past 10 years, China has drilled over 1 000 boreholes across Zimbabwe, benefiting nearly 400 000 people. This latest initiative is another step in China’s journey to support Zimbabwe’s development,” he said.

Meanwhile, this development complements the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, launched by President Mnangagwa in December 2021.

The scheme aims to drill and equip a borehole for each of Zimbabwe’s 35 000 villages by the end of this year.