Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
THE District Development Fund (DDF) requires $30 million to complete the rehabilitation of Gariya Dam which will avert critical water shortages in Tsholotsho district, Matabeleland North.

The dam which stretches for almost 7KM was constructed in 1953 but burst its walls in 2017 following Cyclone Dineo before DDF undertook to repair it.

It has a carrying capacity of four million cubic metres, has a catchment area of 30KM and serves close to 20 000 people in villages such as Butabubili, Mtshina, Phumula and could benefit the neighbouring Bulilima and Mangwe districts.

The dam also caters for wild and domestic animals.

It has canals to provide water to wild animals closer to their environments, to minimise animals’ invasion into communities.

It is close to the border areas between Hwange National Park and Tsholotsho communities hence animals such as elephants could easily invade communities.

DDF started rehabilitating the dam last year after Treasury allocated $20 million for the project and an additional $29,7 million has been disbursed this year.

Speaking during the tour of the dam by Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in charge of Monitoring and Implementation Joram Gumbo and Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo last week, DDF provincial coordinator Mr Lawrence Ndebele commended Government for supporting infrastructural programmes.

He said while major works have been done at the dam, the DDF still requires $30 million to complete the rehabilitation works.

Mr Ndebele said part of the rehabilitation works include repairing three spots that were breached by rains, reconstructing two damaged spillways, rehabilitating inlet and outlet canals, two outlet pipes and outlet gate valves.

He said the outstanding works includes raising the dam wall to 1,5 metres for a stretch of about 2KM, stone pitching, repairing of the canal coming from Mazamnyama River and the rehabilitation of four downstream dams feeding from Gariya Dam.

During the tour, it was revealed that the dam would enable communities to be involved in irrigation and aquaculture projects and improve lives.

Minister Gumbo expressed satisfaction over the works being done to improve people’s lives at grassroot levels.

He said the dam is of significance to Tsholotsho people and speaks to Government programme of not leaving any community behind as far as development is concerned.

Minister Gumbo said Government’s allocation of $10,7 billion towards construction of dams and rehabilitating damaged ones countrywide is part of a programme to enhance water harvesting in the face of the changing climate.

He said water harvesting is connected to the country’s agriculture transformation vision set out by Government.

“You might be aware that Matabeleland North province lies in natural region 4 which receives very low annual rainfall and has resulted in poor agriculture production. Dam rehabilitation initiatives, such as the one we have toured today, are therefore required to mitigate the water challenges faced by farmers in this jurisdiction,” said Minister Gumbo.

“I have been informed that Gariya Dam was constructed in 1953 and was therefore in dire need of rehabilitation.

“I therefore welcome the Gariya Dam rehabilitation initiative as a sustainable water management project which will assist in water conservation for the community.

“ Indeed water harvesting improves water supply in arid environments that are characterised by low rainfalls.”

He said Government is committed to improving access to water to all communities through building new dams, rehabilitating others and drilling of boreholes.

Minister Gumbo said Government will continue supporting DDF for the transformative work in communities.

“Government is acutely aware that the work DDF is undertaking around the country is often underestimated. You should however take comfort in the fact that the beneficiaries of your work, many projects and those of us who are close to your operations appreciate your invaluable contribution to national development. I would want to assure you that my office always stands ready to provide support whenever challenges are encountered in the implementation of projects. We will therefore, continue to closely monitor the implementation of this priority project,” said Minister Gumbo.

Speaking during the same event, Minister Moyo said Tsholotsho is one of the areas facing serious water challenges where humans and animals compete for water which is almost always scarce.

“The rest of water bodies in the interior of the district are just streams, small dams and water pans. It is this reason that makes Tsholotsho a critical water shortage area. The district relies mostly on boreholes whose depth in some instances surpass 150 metres and this is generally not drinkable as it is salty especially in the southern parts of the district,” said Minister Moyo.

“There are 1032 boreholes in the district but still these are not enough to meet the needs of the district. We are currently establishing a piped water scheme to reduce the burden on women and girl children who supply the bulk of water for domestic purposes and menfolk spend a lot of time pumping water for their domestic animals. There is therefore stiff competition for this precious resource between humans, domestic animals and wildlife.”

He said the rehabilitation of Gariya Dam is a welcome development that Tsholotsho communities are looking forward to.-@nqotshili