By Correspondent
Thuli-Manyange Dam, whose construction began around 2022, remains a pending project after Government again failed to provide a time frame for its completion.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who was on an assessment tour of the site last week, only promised the government’s commitment.
“Thuli-Manyange and Thuli-Moswa are very critical in two aspects.
“We are developing this area in terms of two main objectives that we want to achieve: agriculture and mining.
Chiwenga said the nearby Gwanda Lithium has not been operating to full capacity because of water challenges.
“We are also talking about Agriculture, we are saying the best soils in this country are in this area.
“The good weather and soils are favourable, but water is missing.
“So the priority that we had given for the construction of Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi dam, once they are complete in the next year, we should start putting money here,” he said.
Old Promises And No Water
The Tuli-Manyange Dam has a history of unfulfilled promises.
It dates back to the early 1960s when the project was first mooted by the Rhodesian government.
In 2006, the Government awarded the contract for the construction of the dam, but due to financial constraints, the contractor suspended work.
Treasury released $43 million in 2021 to expedite the project, whose deadline for completion was December 2023.
That target was, however, also missed.
Once complete, the dam, with a capacity of 35 million cubic metres, is expected to provide water for irrigation purposes.
Councillors’ Criticism
Government has been criticised by Councillors for introducing new projects while old ones, such as Thuli, are still incomplete.
Currently, the cofferdam has been completed, and some local communities can benefit.
Overall, the stage of completion of the whole dam stands at 12%.
Other dam components include the development of irrigation canals and infield works to support 1,600-hectare irrigation in the Guyu, Makokwe Hills area.
At least 2,000 hectares of land will be put under irrigation once the project is complete.
The dam is expected to serve Vela, Guyu Business Centre and Ntalale Business Centre.
Chelesa Business Centre, Sizhubane Barracks, Manama Mission and Business Centre, Sebasa and Mankonkoni irrigation schemes will also benefit.
The project is implemented by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa), while China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE) have been contracted to do civil works.
