The Sunday News
Sharon Chimenya, Masvingo Correspondent
THE Government has secured a contractor to build a five-megawatt mini-hydro power plant at Lake Mutirikwi in Masvingo.
The project, estimated at US$14 million, at the second largest inland water body is set to boost the country and the province’s power supply. Masvingo Province is however, targeting more than 23 megawatts from the three biggest water bodies which are Tugwi Mukosi, Mutirikwi and Manyuchi.
Lake Mutirikwi
In an interview, Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Ezra Chadzamira said the contractor, Great Zimbabwe Hydro, has already moved in and construction work was set to start soon.
“Currently the Government secured a contractor at Mutirikwi who is working on the hydroelectric plant which will see the electric power being incorporated to the national grid. As a province as we are moving towards the national vision, the issues of electricity will be eased looking at issues to do with irrigation schemes. The contractor is already on the ground working on the plant. We shall pay him a visit as a team to see the progress,” he said.
He said they were targeting the construction of the 17 megawatt plant at Tugwi Mukosi dam.
Tugwi Mukosi dam
“Tugwi Mukosi has a lot of opportunities, it can generate more than 17 megawatts of hydro electricity which will be used in our province. With the coming in of devolution, it will help us in terms of electricity generation looking at Tugwi Mukosi, Lake Mutirikwi and Manyuchi where if put together will be able to produce more than 23 megawatts.”
Meanwhile, the Government is working to repair the Chilonga Bridge in Chiredzi South.
The bridge offers the shortest route to Chiredzi which is about 22 kilometres but during the rainy season people are forced to take a longer route which will go through Rutenga then Ngundu of about 375 kilometres making it really inconvenient.
When flooded people around Chilonga risk their lives crossing the crocodile-infested river through the use of canoes.
“On the issue of the Chilonga Bridge, we are going to construct a new bridge in the area. The feasibility study is now complete and the funds are also now available. The bridge connects Chiredzi and Chilonga area. We have encountered a lot of problems because of that dam whereby we lose lives every rainy season,” said Cde Chadzamira.
