The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) has started equiping the 504 boreholes
drilled so far countrywide under the ongoing Presidential Rural Development Programme, an official has said.
The boreholes will be equipped with solar systems while some will get bush pumps.
In a statement, Zinwa corporate communications and marketing manager Marjorie Munyonga said because of the current wet spell, drilling of the boreholes had slowed down and focus was now on equipping those that had
been bored.
Of the 504 boreholes, 51 are in Manicaland, 53 in the Midlands, 31 in Mashonaland East, 79 in Mashonaland Central, 87 in Mashonaland West and
51 in Matabeleland North. Matabeleland South has 47 while 105 are in
Masvingo, she said.
Under the Presidential Rural Development Programme, the government
through ZINWA, aims to drill 35 solar powered boreholes in the countrys
35 000 villages by 2025.
The boreholes will, among other functions, provide drinking water for
communities, provide water for establishing nutritional gardens,
orchards, fishery projects and for dip-tanks.
The Presidential Rural Development Programme is expected to help unlock
opportunities for rural communities in terms of access to clean and safe
water, food security, poverty alleviation and employment creation.
In execution the programme, ZINWA is working with other Government
agencies such as the Agricultural Rural Development Agency (ARDA), the
Tobacco Research Board, Agritex, the Department of Veterinary Services
and the Fisheries Department.
