Treasury allocates $ 77bn for dams, irrigation

TREASURY has allocated $77 billion in the 2023 national Budget for development of irrigation infrastructure and dam projects that are at different stages of construction, as the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa continues to focus on infrastructure development to spur economic growth.

At least $55,3 billion will cover irrigation infrastructure and fisheries while $22 billion is earmarked for 12 dam projects that are currently underway across the country.

Infrastructural projects such as dam construction are one of the factors expected to ensure that the country attain an upper middle class income economy by 2030 anchored by the National Development Strategy 1.

According to figures from the Budget statement presented in Parliament by Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube a fortnight ago, the largest beneficiary is Gwayi Shangani Dam in Matabeleland North province with $6,2 billion allocation, followed by Semwa Dam in Mashonaland Central province, that got $2,8 billion,

Bulawayo pipeline got $2,7 billion with Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East province getting $2,1 billion and Vungu Dam in Midlands province earmarked to get $1,5 billion.

Other dams include Tuli Manyange in Matabeleland South, that got $1,7 billion, Ziminya Dam in Matabeleland North province ($1,1 billion), Defe Dam ($1 billion) Muchekeranwa ($600 million) Mashonaland East province, Dande Dam ($600 million) Guruve in Mashonaland Central province, Mbada Dam ($600 million) and Bindura Dam ($400 million) in Mashonaland Central province.

Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) corporate communications and marketing manager, Mrs Marjorie Munyonga commended Treasury for the allocation saying it will help in current ongoing projects.

“The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has taken note of the budgetary allocations Treasury has directed towards dam construction projects.

“The allocation will certainly add impetus to the ongoing dam construction projects which are at various stages of completion,” said Mrs

Munyonga.

Commenting on the Budget of the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development, portfolio committee chairperson of Lands and Agriculture Cde Justice Mayor Wadyajena said prioritisation of capital projects were critical for economic growth.

“The quality of the Budget is also reflected by the extent to which the budget is development oriented.

“A Budget which is biased towards capital than recurrent expenditure is generally considered developmental. Thus, the committee commends

Government for prioritisation of developmental spending as this is the bulk of the resource envelope,” said Cde Wadyajena while presenting the committee’s report on the Ministry’s Budget vote in Parliament yesterday.

According to Prof Ncube, the money for Gwayi Shangani will cover construction of 46m of the dam to reach full height of 72m, construction of outlet works, and apron concrete placing while the budget vote for Bulawayo pipeline will cover construction of two pump houses, and laying of 104km of pipeline.

The budget vote for Muchekeranwa will cover the establishment of engineer’s camp and commencement of pipeline construction.

President Mnangagwa commissioned Muchekeranwa Dam in 2021 where he launched the Presidential Fisheries Scheme and the Muchekeranwa irrigation project which are spin offs from the massive dam.

He also officiated at the ground breaking of the Muchekeranwa-Wenimbe pipeline that will see the town of Marondera getting water from the new dam, with the surplus going to the capital city, Harare.

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