Source: Tokwe Murkosi dam nears completion – Sunday News Jul 10, 2016

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
THE much-awaited multi-million dollar project, Tokwe-Murkosi Dam in Chivi district, Masvingo is now 96 percent complete, contractors have said. Italian contractor Italia-Impregillio project manager Engineer Urbano Luso said much of the work has been done on the dam and in a few months time the project will be handed over toGovernment. He said the 90- metre dam wall was left with a few layers.

“Our work here is nearly complete after we resumed in May. I am sure we are going to beat the target given the rate at which we are moving. We can say we have covered at least 96 percent of the work and we are on track as we are earmarking January as the time to hand over the project to government,” said Eng Luso.

Mr Luso said work has been accelerated after the recruitment of more workers on site from 10 to over 100.

“We have recruited more workers and its back to business now. We have enough workforce comprising over 100 workers now and everyone is geared for work. So far everything is going well smoothly with the dam wall almost complete after Government has met its bargain,” said Eng Luso.

The contractor stopped work on 18 December 2014 and shipped back their equipment citing payment challenges involving about $35 million from Government. They however, returned to site in May this year after Government released $35 million being outstanding balance.

Contacted for comment Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo said the province was happy with the progress at the dam especially on the benefits that it brings.

“I have been apprised on the progress on our main project and we are happy because once it is completed the province will be a food basket for the country. The much awaited dam is near completion that anytime soon it will be handed to government by the contractor. On 19 July, we will get the finer details during our provincial development committee (PDC) quarterly meeting,” he said.

Once completed, the dam will transform the province into a green belt and sustain its populace through irrigation, tourism, fisheries, among other business ventures.