Construction of the Thuli-Manyame dam in Gwanda district, Matabeleland South will miss its December completion target due to underfunding, Lands and Agriculture minister Anxious Masuka has said
The Treasury released $43 million last year towards the construction of the dam, a proposed reservoir on the Thuli River with a capacity of 33 million cubic metres of water.
But Masuka said underfunding had slowed construction.
“Thuli-Manyange is a 33 million cubic metre dam currently being constructed with an initial target completion date of December 2022.
“However, the rate of progress would have been better had resources been made available on time so it is highly unlikely that this dam will be completed as originally scheduled,” Masuka said.
He was responding to Matabeleland South proportional representation MP, Sipho Mokone who has asked him to present a progress report in Parliament last week.
“The current works are centred on the main dam foundation excavations and works on the two saddle dams have been done though not yet completed,” Masuka said.
“However, the coffer dam has been completed, so you are able to impound water for the communities to begin to benefit. Overall, the stage of completion of the whole dam stands at 12%.
“The other dam components include the development of irrigation canals and infield works to support 1600 hectares irrigation in the Guyu, Makokwe Hills area and clear water supply station for Ntepe, Guyuwe and Manama.”
Once complete, the dam is expected to boost food security in the area by providing water for irrigation projects.
