RESIDENTS of Masvingo town have urged government to expedite completion of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam and turn it into another source of hydro-electric power and ease electricity shortages currently haunting the country.
By Tatenda Chitagu
The residents told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development on Monday during the budget consultative process that completion of the dam would also enable them to set up irrigation schemes to fend off food shortages in the province.
The committee is moving around the country soliciting for the public’s input in next year’s National Budget.
Prosper Shuro, a resident, said the Ministry of Finance should provide funds for the completion of the dam, which has had several false starts since 1998.
“Government should budget for the completion of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam. It has taken long and its completion is long overdue. In the wake of these power cuts due to water shortages in Kariba, I believe Tokwe-Mukosi can as well be another source of power for Masvingo, instead of relying on Kariba alone,” he said.
Construction of the dam wall stalled at 80% after the Italian contractor, Salini Impregilio, pulled out over outstanding payments amounting to $80 million.
Another resident, Vongai Tarisai, said to avoid endemic food shortages, government should create and revive irrigation schemes in the province once the dam has been completed.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
“More funding should be biased towards irrigation schemes for winter wheat and winter maize, as used to be the norm in Masvingo . . . we used to have many irrigation schemes that produced wheat and maize in winter, but now, it’s history.
“If government revives them and also uses water from Tokwe-Mukosi, if completed, it will make sense,” she said.
Others urged government to revive the Cold Storage Company and other dormant industries for employment creation, while representatives from the health sector called for 15% allocation towards health.
Gokwe legislator, Dorothy Mhangami, who was the acting chair for the committee, said they would forward the public’s views for consideration by Treasury.
