Source: Residents push for swift action on Muda, Nyatsime dams | The Sunday Mail
Standrick Chagadama
Chitungwiza residents have urged the Government to fast-track the construction of Muda and Nyatsime dams, seen as critical long-term solutions to the town’s chronic water shortages.
The dormitory town, with a population of over 411 000 and about 120 000 households, is grappling with a severe water crisis due to a drastic reduction in water supplies from the Harare City Council (HCC).
The crisis worsened after the decommissioning of the Prince Edward Water Treatment Plant, which became unsustainable following the depletion of Harava and Seke dams, the plant’s main water sources.
Chitungwiza, which depends heavily on water from Harare, has struggled for years to secure a reliable supply of clean drinking water. Muda Dam, with a planned capacity of over 53 000 megalitres (ML), and Nyatsime Dam, holding 80 450 ML, are expected to enhance water supply to Chitungwiza and surrounding areas, including Beatrice.
Despite the urgent need for development of the two dams, progress has stalled.
Chitungwiza and Manyame Residents Association chairperson Mr Marvelous Khumalo said there was a desperate need for a raw water source for the town.
“With a population of nearly 500 000 people, Chitungwiza municipality needs to be a water authority,” he said.
“We need our own raw water source rather than continuing to rely solely on Harare City for water.
“City of Harare is failing to cater for its 46 wards, so expecting them to have excess water to give to Chitungwiza is day dreaming.
“We need to push our parliamentarians to recommend to the President to declare the water and sanitation situation in the Harare Metropolitan province a State of Disaster so that other local and international well-wishers can step in towards addressing this situation.
“Parliamentarians should also lobby the Ministry of Finance to adequately budget for the Kunzvi, Musami and Muda Dam projects in the 2025 National Budget.”
In 2018, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development held an International Water Conference and issued an open international tender for the construction of approximately 23 dams around the country.
Among the bids was an expression of interest from Hidrotehnika Overseas, a Tunisian-registered consortium, proposing a fully funded build-and-transfer scheme for the Muda-Nyatsime project.
In Africa, the firm’s portfolio includes the Kafue Gorge Dam in Zambia and 11 dams in Tunisia, along with others in Algeria and Gambia.
Eight years after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa), construction of the Muda-Nyatsime dams has yet to begin.
Over that period, Hidrotehnika has undergone rigorous due diligence with Zinwa, the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency (ZIDA), and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
Satisfied with the funding arrangement, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance Mr George Guvamatanga wrote to his then-Lands counterpart, Dr John Basera, greenlighting development of the two projects by Hidrotehnika.
In the letter dated May 9, 2023, Mr Guvamatanga said: “Treasury is in receipt of the project documents for the Muda-Nyatsime dams project, including the feasibility study and other support letters.
“Treasury is in support of the project to alleviate the water and energy crisis in Chitungwiza and surrounding areas.
“In order to finalise the construction of the dam, Treasury wishes to advise that the ministry, through the Zinwa, should follow the procurement with PRAZ. In addition, Zinwa should submit a draft term sheet from INVEMA to Treasury for the US$350 million proposed loan.”
INVEMA is the proposed financial partner responsible for providing the funding for the multi-million-dollar project.
Responding to emailed questions about the progress with development of the dams, a representative of Hidrotehnika Overseas said: “We have walked this journey with Zinwa for about eight years now.
“The bureaucracy and red tape have been frustrating and in some cases overwhelming. However, we know what it takes to execute a project of the magnitude of the Muda-Nyatsime dams and waterworks.
“Raising loans or funding for African countries is not easy due the negative view of defaults in payment and country risks. You can imagine how difficult it was for us to raise this US$350 million loan for Africa, let alone Zimbabwe.
“The bank is losing patience, we really cannot understand all these delays when both the money and a very capable developer are waiting to implement the project.”
The representative said construction would take four years, with an additional 12 to 16 months required for development of the water treatment plant and distribution infrastructure.
“This means that technically, in 2030, a resident in Chitungwiza will be able to open their kitchen tap and have a glass of clean safe drinking water,” said the representative.
Zinwa head of corporate communications and marketing Mrs Marjorie Munyonga said the two dams were of strategic importance.
“Muda and Nyatsime dams are the future sources of water for Chitungwiza town,” she said.
“Designs for the two projects have been completed and the Muda Dam project is ready for implementation.
“Muda Dam will bring a capacity of 53 119ML of water while Nyatsime Dam will have a capacity of 80 450ML.
“The Government is currently mobilising resources to complete the 12 dams which are already under construction, and in an effort to start work on the Muda Dam project, the Government, through Zinwa, has initiated processes to engage private partners to speed up the implementation of the project.”
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