GOVERNMENT will focus on finishing dam construction projects across the country in the coming year to ensure constant supply of potable water, Environment, Water and Climate minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said.
SENIOR REPORTER
In an interview with NewsDay on Monday, Kasukuwere said his ministry was currently engaging a number of investors with a view to fund the projects in order to ease the country’s water shortage problems.
“There are major investments in the coming year for Kunzvi Dam and other dams in the various provinces that have to be constructed so we have it on our plans as government. We are engaging a number of investors to see how we can fund these projects,” Kasukuwere said.
The construction of Kunzvi dam, the expected panacea to Harare’s perennial water problems, has been on the cards for over two decades. Kasukuwere said his ministry would give special attention to finding ways to solve the country’s water problems.
“We are looking at the water challenge in Zimbabwe. We have a water policy which basically has been crafted by government to address issues of provision of potable water to our people,” Kasukuwere said.
Earlier this year, the government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth $445 million with Avik International, a Chinese engineering company for the construction of Kunzvi Dam which is to become Harare’s alternative water source.
The MoU also included the construction of water treatment plants, water piping, conveyance and connections to the existing City of Harare network.
