2023 Budget: Gwayi-Shangani Dam completion nears w...

2023 Budget: Gwayi-Shangani Dam completion nears with ZWL$9b allocation

Zim Now Writer

The Gwayi-Shangani Dam project, which is expected to solve Bulawayo’s perennial water challenges received ZWL$ 9 billion that will see the completion of the project.

Presenting the 2023 National Budget Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube said they have allocated $6,3 billion for the construction of the 46-metre depth of the dam to reach full height of 72 metres, construction of outlet works, and the apron.

Ncube said a further $2.7 billion will be allocated for the construction of two pump houses, and laying of 104 kilometres of pipeline.

“With regards to Gwayi-Shangani, the project is at 69 percent completion and the dam height is now at 31 metres out of the required 72 metres, whilst a total of 140 kilometres has been cleared for the pipeline, out of which nine kilometres have since been excavated with pipeline trenching in progress.

Ncube said that Bulawayo water challenges will be a game-changer and its completion will transform the lives of people in the Matabeleland provinces, especially communities living along the 245-kilometre pipeline as it will create an agriculture green belt from the dam site to the City of Bulawayo.

The project is now 69 percent complete and is viewed as the solution to Bulawayo and the region’s perennial water woes.

The pipeline is currently five percent complete, but government has already identified 10 000 hectares of land to be put under irrigation along the pipeline.