Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam construction to resume
Masvingo Bureau
CONSTRUCTION of the giant Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam is set to resume following the allocation of US$20 million for the project by Finance Minister Tendai Biti in his 2011 National Budget.
Construction work at the dam, located at the confluence of Tokwe and Mukorsi rivers on the Chivi Masvingo South border, had been put on hold owing to lack of funds.
The main contractor, Italian company Salini Impregilio, suspended work over 10 years ago, citing growing arrears owed by Government.
The Government has been courting private investors to partner it to complete the dam, which is billed to be the biggest inland water body in Zimbabwe when complete.
Last week, Minister Biti allocated US$20 million for construction work.
Masvingo South legislator and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi yesterday described the allocation of funds as an early Christmas present for the people of Masvingo.
“There is no doubt that the Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam project is at the heart of Masvingo’s development.
“There have been a number of investors who have been waiting in the wings to pour money into the project and this money will definitely spur them to get involved,” said Minister Mzembi.
Son of Libya’s Brother Leader Muammar Gaddafi, Engineer Saadi Gaddafi, toured the construction site with Minister Mzembi and Water Resources Minister Sam Sipepa Nkomo earlier this year had expressed interest in investing in the project.
When work on the dam resumed in 1998, it was expected to be complete by 2002. At present it is about 60 percent complete and at least 138 million euro is required to complete it.
Its completion could result in the opening up of more than 25 000 hectares of land for irrigation in Masvingo and increase low veld sugarcane output by about 15 percent.