Water supply challenges in
The contractor has now moved on site and has started preliminary work such as establishing offices, mobilising heavy construction equipment and conducting engineering surveys as the
Commenting on the project on his twitter handle, Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr
"This is morphing into reality. The project is meant to resolve
"This year, site establishment and profiling will be completed," said
Establishment of access roads and bush clearance has also started after the contractor, China Nanchang Engineering, moved on site a fortnight ago.
Commencement of works at the site puts to an end a two-decade wait for the
China Nanchang Engineering won the tender to construct the dam which will expand
Prior to work on
The firm is also working on
Commencement of the work at
PRAZ said
When The Herald news crew visited the site on Thursday, surveyors were pegging the dam site while putting up project offices.
Some heavy construction equipment such as excavators, bulldozers and tippers was already on site while labour camps are also in place.
Bush clearance was at an advanced stage.
The project is also going to result in the relocation of families around the area.
A formal meeting involving communities, their leaders and other stakeholders is on the cards.
Nanchang Engineering executive chairman, Mr Liangming Jin said more equipment was now at Beira awaiting dispatch to the
"Our equipment has landed at Beira, we have containers, bulldozers, tippers. We might complete the project ahead of schedule particularly if they quickly relocate families.
"We have since written to Zinwa for us to start excavation and we are waiting for their response," he said.
Zinwa Resident Engineer,
"We are currently marking high flood level and we are still to establish the number of families in the basin for relocation.
"
"The expected date of completion is
"The dam will mainly supply water to
Village head, Mr Edigius Dzvanga said he welcomed the project which he said would transform many communities.
"Some Government officials came to inform me about this project and indeed I gave them my blessings because it will help communities. Our only concern are reports that the project will result in relocation of some families.
"While we have not officially been informed, we are worried about that because we were born and bred here so leaving our birthplace for other areas will not be easy," said Mr Dzvanga.
Copyright The Herald. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com)., source