Water Resources Development and Management minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo will next week tour the Mtshabezi Dam in preparation for the commissioning of the Mtshabezi-Mzingwane pipeline project an official told NewsDay yesterday.
Sipepa Nkomo’s personal assistant Butholezwe Nyathi said preparations for commissioning of the water pipeline were at an advanced stage.
“What is encouraging is that all work is being done as we are speaking right now. If you were to visit the place, you will find people hard at work right now. (Minister Sipepa) Nkomo will be visiting the Mtshabezi area this month-end to appreciate and review the work being done as we are getting ready for the commissioning of the link,” Nyathi said. “We will get feedback from the technical team on what challenges are there, but will continue to work on the assumption that we will commission the project mid-year. This is an engineering project and we will never cut corners.”
Nyathi said the project was almost complete. “The problem we have now is a natural problem,” he said. “What is outstanding is electricity. That is the technical challenge we have at the moment.” The Mtshabezi pipeline project, mooted 18 years ago, has so far failed to beat four deadlines.
The 42km pipeline link to Mtshabezi Dam in Matabeleland South is regarded as the medium-term solution to Bulawayo’s perennial water problems.
