Plans to build Kunzvi Dam, with a capacity of 158 million cubic meters, were mooted three decades ago but lack of resources repeatedly hampered progress.
Cabinet has endorsed the MoU with the Chinese engineering company to construct the dam, water treatment plant, 50 km water piping to connect with the Harare water network at a cost of $445 million.
Minister of Water, Samuel-Sipepa Nkomo confirmed the development saying the previous contractor had failed to deliver leaving him with no option but to engage other serious partners.
“It is now official that Avik International is mandated to carry out the construction of Kunzvi Dam which we hope to be complete in three years,” he said.
The source said the Chinese firm which is renowned of building many dams across the continent was likely to partner with other private contractors engaged last year.
“It is mostly likely that some local private companies who were initially engaged by Minister Nkomo might partner Avik International in the construction of the dam,” said the source.
The Kunzvi Dam site is 67 km north-east of Harare near Juru Growth Point along Nyaguwi River.
Harare City Council Town Clerk, Tendai Mahachi recently told a monthly council meeting that they were losing millions of dollars on a monthly basis in maintaining the old Morton Jeffrey water treatment plant.
“The water services infrastructure has reached a point where any refurbishments would have minimum impact on the efficiency of the water services and any costs incurred will not result in any material benefit.
“To return the situation to normal, the city would have to spend a million dollars per month in maintenance plus the $3 million for water chemicals and this is not sustainable,” he said.
Morton Jaffray water works has a capacity to produce 640 mega-litres per day but currently is managing an average of 400ML per day while 50 percent of treated water is lost through leakages along the distribution network.
Post published in: News