More dams planned

By Sharon Chimenya

THE Government, under the Second Republic, is committed to constructing more dams to provide irrigation water for communities to ensure food security. In the wake of the El Nino-induced drought, which has resulted in many farmers failing to produce grain this season, President Emmerson Mnangagwa said food security remained the Government’s top priority.

Some of the dams that the Government is currently working on include the Gwayi-Shangani in Matabeleland North, Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East, and Tuli Manyange in Matabeleland South.
Speaking in Masvingo, last week, President Mnangagwa said they would build more dams so as to have enough hectarage under irrigation.

“I once again, assure the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe that no one will die of hunger. In the days of our liberation struggle we united against all odds to defeat the colonial regime, why would we today be defeated by hunger? At family level, Government and community level, let us remain united and supportive of each other during these trying times. This is in the spirit of hunhu hwedu,” he said.

“We shall in the Second Republic make sure that we have enough dams which we are building in the country so that when there is drought, we have enough hectarage under irrigation to sustain ourselves.”
He said the Government would make sure development was everywhere, leaving no one and no place behind.

“Under the Second Republic, no area will remain behind. We will make sure that development of our country is everywhere, every community, every village, every ward, every district is important and important to any other district. We will make sure that Zimbabwe shall remain food secure, it’s our priority.”

In Masvingo Province, the Government is set to construct another dam in Chivi, the Runde Tende Dam. When completed the dam will have the potential to supply water to the Northern parts of South Africa.