Harare residents have commended the government for a sterling job at Kunzvi Dam which is going to augment the city’s water supplies and provide a direct feed into the northern and eastern suburbs; ease water challenges as President Mnangagwa’s administration walks its talk to transform the country into an upper middle income economy by 2030 in line with the National Development Strategy1 (NDS1).
The US$109 million Kunzvi Dam which is situated on the confluence of the Nora and Nyagui rivers in Goromonzi district has now reached an advanced stage with completed project works now standing at eighty percent.
The project which was planned in the 90s is meant to supplement Harare water supplies following a public outcry as the demand for the precious liquid had increased whilst the opposition led Harare City Council has not been forthcoming in service delivery.
The dam is being built through a loan from China and the tender was awarded to Nanchang Engineering this year. China has been instrumental in funding and constructing Zimbabwe’s vital infrastructural projects in energy, telecommunications and transport, chief among them the expansion of Robert Mugabe International Airport.
The Chinese contractor has since begun the construction of the dam in Goromonzi district, about 67 kilometres northeast of Harare, a move that has been welcomed by villagers, village heads and chiefs in and around the area.
Meanwhile; in promoting the Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo mantra; local workers are being recruited from Goromonzi and have started work as the Second Republic moves to upgrade the capital city’s water supply under a massive infrastructural development plan which is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
In an interview; village head, Mr Phillion Gore (Headman Dudzu) said he welcomed the project which he said would transform many communities.
“We are happy about the project and we believe that this community and other surrounding areas will not remain the same again”.
He also applauded President Mnangagwa for the project saying there is going to be a lot of developments in the area once the dam has been constructed.
Goromonzi Ward 12 Councillor Kondwakuenda Magaya spoke of the permanent advantages to the area from the dam.
“Besides the temporary employment there would be permanent jobs. Water would be available locally for irrigation. The dam would allow resorts to be created, boosting the local economy and providing jobs’.
Next door Murerwa councillor for Ward 28, Mr Tafirenyika Madziva said people would benefit from fishing also, among other various projects once the dam has been completed.
“Fishing is one of the major projects that the communities are going to benefit from”.
Alderman Jailas Kachanga; councillor for Ward 18 in Goromonzi echoed the same sentiments and said most people in the area were also happy about the project.
“I would like also to urge other people to support this project for the development of our country,” he said.
Commenting on the project on his twitter handle, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana recently said Harare’s water problems would soon be a thing of the past upon its completion.
“This is morphing into reality. The project is meant to resolve Harare, Ruwa and Chitungwiza water problems.
