Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
THE construction of the Chivhu Dam which is set to transform the town and its surrounding areas into a greenbelt is on course with Government expressing progress made thus far notwithstanding setbacks caused by heavy rains and the Covid-19 pandemic.

Upon completion, the dam will ensure that residents of the town will have enough domestic water and excess for irrigation as Government walks the talk in ensuring that no place in the country is left behind in terms of transformative development.

While on a tour of projects underway in Chikomba district, Minister of State for Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Aplonia Munzverengwi said Government expects to complete the project soon.

“We have seen full commitment here. There is a lot of progress from what we saw the last time when we visited this site. Had it not been for the Covid-19 pandemic which stalled progress, it could have been completed and commissioned by President Mnangagwa.

“We want to thank our President for these projects. We are happy as a province that the money to continue and complete the construction of this dam is there. President Mnangagwa wants to see all developmental projects being completed. There are a lot of projects which will be carried here when this dam is completed and we need to plan for that now,” she said. The dam is located about 7 km to the southeast of Chivhu town, along the Sebakwe River and is being constructed to meet water needs of the town which will ultimately lead to urban expansion through the setting up of commercial and industrial sites.

When complete, water from the dam will be utilised for mining activities around Chivhu town and to develop the surrounding farms and rural areas into a green belt zone, thereby creating employment.

Chivhu town is a fast-growing service centre for Chikomba district with an estimated population of 12 000 inhabitants.

The town lies on the main road linking Beitbridge and Harare and is also linked by a road to Mutare and Gweru cities which gives it potential for industrialisation.

Also, Chivhu is surrounded by prime agricultural land which gives it a great potential to grow as an agricultural town.

Chivhu’s water demand overtook the capacity of the treatment plant and at the moment, the existing plant produces 2.7 mega litres a day which falls far short of the current demand.