Construction of the long-awaited Muda Dam, a strategic reservoir to resolve the chronic water shortages in Chitungwiza, has not yet commenced due to funding constraints, Parliament has heard.
The town has been heavily reliant on water supplied by the City of Harare, but the supply is unreliable as Harare struggles to meet its own demand and has reduced supplies to Chitungwiza.
The proposed dam, with a planned capacity of 53,119 megalitres (ML), is part of a larger plan that also includes the Nyatsime Dam, with both projects designed to secure the town's water future .
Together with associated waterworks like treatment plants and distribution infrastructure, they form the Muda-Nyatsime Dam and waterworks project, valued at approximately US$350 million .
Responding to a question with notice from Chitungwiza North lawmaker, Godfrey Sithole, Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development minister Anxious Masuka, said the government has not secured the required financing to begin works on the dam.
Muda Dam, which is planned along Mupfure River, is expected to augment water supplies for Chitungwiza and surrounding areas.
However, the minister indicated that current priorities lie elsewhere.
“The government has not yet secured the required financing to commence construction,” said Masuka, adding that the government was prioritising the completion of 12 dams already at advanced stages of development.
Among the priority projects are Kunzvi Dam, Gwayi-Shangani Dam, Tuli-Manyange Dam, Silverstroom Dam, Dande Dam and its associated tunnel Bindura Dam as well as Semwa Dam.