President hailed for Tokwe-Murkosi payment
Wednesday, 04 May 2011 22:31
Masvingo Bureau
THE Masvingo provincial leadership has hailed President Mugabe and Government for putting pressure on Finance Minister Tendai Biti to release 12 million Euros to an Italian contractor to start work on Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.
Work on the project in the drought prone Masvingo province had stalled due to lack of funding.
The move follows revelations that the Italian contractor, Salini Impregilio was going to resume work and complete the construction of Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.
Construction of the Tokwe-Murkosi Dam has been on hold for the past six years after Salini Impregilio suspended the contract over non-payment of money by the Government.
Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke, yesterday praised President Mugabe for the continued interest he expressed on Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.
Governor Maluleke said the completion of Tokwe-Murkosi Dam that has potential to irrigate over 25 000 hectares would go a long way in making sure that the province attains food reliance at household level.
He said it was heartening to note that President Mugabe and the Government were also keenly waiting for the completion of Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.
Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chairman, Cde Lovemore Matuke, said the payment of 12 million Euros to the Tokwe-Murkosi contractor was a welcome development.
“We are thrilled as a party that President Mugabe and Government as a whole have a keen interest in solving some of our problems, especially with regards to the completion of Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.
This is one project whose completion will undoubtedly unlock a lot of prospects for the province from agriculture to tourism among other benefits,” he said.
Chivi-Mwenezi Senator Cde Josaya Hungwe concurred with other members of the party and Government in the province.
Representatives of the Italian company met President Mugabe and his delegation in Rome last Saturday during his visit to the Vatican for the beatification of Pope John Paul II and expressed gratitude to the Zimbabwean Government for paying the money.
The Salini Impregilio delegation hosted a dinner for President Mugabe and his delegation where the Italian company’s senior vice president Mr Jens Mirabele, confirmed that they had received 6 million Euros outstanding money for the dam and another 6 million euro to mobilise materials to complete the dam project.
The project according to water engineers was mooted 100 years ago.