The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma in Ntalale, Gwanda
THE construction of the Tuli-Manyange Dam in Ntalale in Gwanda District, has stalled dampening hopes villagers had that the water source will contribute to their agricultural activities and improve food security in the arid area.
This year, the Government disbursed US$15 million towards construction of dams across the country in a bid to promote irrigation activities and improve food security in the country.
If completed, Tuli-Manyange Dam is expected to service Vela, Guyu Business Centre, Ntalale Business Centre, Chelesa Business Centre, Sizhubane Barracks, Manama Mission and Business Centre, Sebasa and Mankonkoni irrigation schemes.
Sunday Business visited the project site on Thursday, and discovered that no meaningful progress has been made with villagers complaining over the slow pace.
The project is being spearheaded by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa).
One of the workers at the site who declined to be named said they were deployed a year ago and no meaningful progress has been made on the project.
He said he was not aware when the construction will start as communication has not been forthcoming.
“We first came here on 14 October last year and until now the dam construction has not started. When you ask the big guys at the offices, they say they are finalising the logistics.
“The problem now is that villagers are now approaching us asking on the progress as they believed the project would go a long way in helping them get water,” said the worker.
He said construction of houses for workers has also been put on hold.
Villagers raised fears that the dam project would suffer the same fate as the Gwanda Solar Project.
A villager from Ntepe under Chief Nhlamba, Mr Ofias Sidange said the Government should look into the matter and come up with quick solutions.
“Looking at the state of the food situation around the villages, the Government should look into the matter and ensure that the project is a success. If the project becomes a success it will also lessen the burden of food aid provided by the Government to the villagers. We can produce our own food as long as we have the water,” said Mr Sidange.
Another villager, Ms Judith Moyo said: “As villagers we are now tired of these promises which are not fulfilled and the Government should move in and ensure the construction starts.”
Efforts to get a comment from Zinwa responsible engineer Mr Paul Ndegu were fruitless as his mobile number was not reachable by time of going to print.
Last year Zinwa had promised that the project, among others, would have been completed before this year’s rainy season.
@mthabisi_mthire.
