Call to utilise Tugwi Mukosi Dam water

GOVERNMENT and the private sector have been called to urgently facilitate commercial utilisation of water in the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam in Masvingo province for economic benefit.

The large dam was completed and commissioned in 2016 but only supplies water to a few sugarcane estates in the lowveld.

Although Government has completed the drafting of a $20 million master plan that spells out a number of business opportunities to be arise from the dam, implementation has not taken shape.

Provincial chamber of small to medium enterprise secretary, Mrs Sarah Munemo, said urgent measures should be taken to ensure greater usage of the water body.

“We urge the new Government led by President Mnangagwa to speedily take necessary action for us to start benefiting from Tugwi-Mukosi Dam. The water has a potential of creating a number of business opportunities and the earlier to start the better,” she said.

Chivi businessman, Mr John Hungoedza, said the dam had a huge potential to attract massive investment that will change the face of Chivi and the province at large.

“We are aware of plans to establish a five megawatt hydro-power station at the dam. We are waiting for such projects to start so that we get electricity,” he said.

The dam has a capacity to irrigate at least 25 000 hectares of land. Mr Hungoedza said the water body could support new agriculture projects. He urged Government to issue fishing permits to locals to participate in fishery projects.

At least 100 000 fingerlings were planted at the dam by Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management.

Tugwi-Mukosi has a potential to change the face of the province as there are a number of business opportunities, ranging from tourism, wildlife, farming and, hotel and hospitality industry. President Mnangagwa is on record saying Government would ensure that provinces fully benefit from their resources under the devolution of power framework.