Harare (New Ziana) – The commissioning of Chivhu Dam that was scheduled for Friday, presided over by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, has been postponed indefinitely, an official has said.
President Mnangagwa is in London attending the coronation of King Charles 111.
Muchemwa Mugwisi, director in the Office of the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in Mashonaland East, told New Ziana the postponement will allow contractors to finish minor outstanding works. These are expected to be completed by the end of this month.
The contractor has since extended working hours on the project to ensure completion by the end of the month. This follows government’s release last month of a US$2 million payment for the dam.
The construction of the dam is coming as a welcome development in the area as it is expected to boost irrigation projects around the dam as a total of 105 hectares of wheat is expected to have been planted this year.
About 75 hectares of winter wheat have already been planted, while an additional 30 hectares is ready for planting.
All power and water connections to the centre pivots are complete.
The construction of the irrigation pump house is standing at 97 percent complete, whilst the excavation and laying of the irrigation pipeline is complete.
Water treatment and pumping of water to Chivhu town is also expected to commence this week in a development that is expected to ease water challenges in the small town.
However, the drilling and blasting at the dam’s spillway has not yet resumed as the sub-contractor was yet to receive some outstanding payment.
New Ziana
