By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
GOVERNMENT has received a loan of about US$786, 000 (K8.3 million) from the World Bank to construct a dam in Zimba District of Southern Province.
Energy and Water Development permanent secretary Edward Chomba, who handed over the dam site to the contractor Victor Matebeke from Savenda Constructions of Zimbabwe, said in Zimba District yesterday that the dam would be used to provide water for domestic animals, households and also irrigation.
Bishop Chomba said the construction of the dam was expected to start soon and was expected to be completed before the end of the year.
Bishop Chomba said government was taking a holistic approach as it wanted the people in the country to have access to clean and safe drinking water.
“The Dam will benefit the local people as some will be employed during the construction process. Government is working vigorously so that everyone can have access to clean and safe drinking water,” Bishop Chomba said.
He said the World bank was also funding the rehabilitation of Ndondi Dam in Pemba District which was constructed in 1958.
The dam’s spillways had collapsed and during the rehabilitation process, the dam walls would be elevated.
Bishop Chomba also toured the rehabilitation works for Ndondi and Nachibanga, whose works started in April this year.
He said similar projects were also being undertaken on the Copperbelt, North-Western and Luapula provinces.
Earlier, Bishop Chomba with his team paid a courtesy call on Southern Province Permanent Secretary Sibanze Simuchoba, where he said that the supervision of the construction and rehabilitation of the dams should be done by the provincial administration.
Mr Simuchoba assured his counterpart that the provincial administration would ensure that the contractor was effectively supervised.
He said there was a realisation among the local people on the effects of deforestation which had also affected the area.