Cephas Shava
MWENEZI –
Villagers who live close to Manyuchi Dam have complained that the water body
remains underutilised because it is a convenient vote-buying tool that
politicians conveniently exploit during election time.
Villagers who live close to Manyuchi Dam have complained that the water body
remains underutilised because it is a convenient vote-buying tool that
politicians conveniently exploit during election time.
Villagers
point to the long-talked-about Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Project which was
pegged in the 1990s but remains a pie in the sky.
point to the long-talked-about Pikinini-Jawanda Irrigation Project which was
pegged in the 1990s but remains a pie in the sky.
If
implemented, the irrigation project would result in 500 hectares of land being
put under irrigation, and would help to fight extreme poverty among people living
under Chief Mawarire and Chief Murove.
implemented, the irrigation project would result in 500 hectares of land being
put under irrigation, and would help to fight extreme poverty among people living
under Chief Mawarire and Chief Murove.
Villagers
told TellZim News the dam was more of a white elephant which does little to
support livelihoods outside of the illegal fishing practices happening there.
told TellZim News the dam was more of a white elephant which does little to
support livelihoods outside of the illegal fishing practices happening there.
“We
are deriving no benefit from this dam which is the biggest in Mwenezi district.
Village gardens are not allowed close to the dam yet authorities cannot support
our quest for a proper irrigation project,” complained one villager.
are deriving no benefit from this dam which is the biggest in Mwenezi district.
Village gardens are not allowed close to the dam yet authorities cannot support
our quest for a proper irrigation project,” complained one villager.
She
complained that the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) once came and
destroyed the gardens that villagers had built for themselves.
complained that the Environmental Management Agency (Ema) once came and
destroyed the gardens that villagers had built for themselves.
Another
villager said she witnessed many ground-breaking ceremonies for the project but
nothing materialised even though many politicians of different calibres visited
the area and made many grand promises.
villager said she witnessed many ground-breaking ceremonies for the project but
nothing materialised even though many politicians of different calibres visited
the area and made many grand promises.
Ward
4 Councillor Passmore Madzudzu shared the villager’s worries but expressed optimism
that the project will eventually see the light of day.
4 Councillor Passmore Madzudzu shared the villager’s worries but expressed optimism
that the project will eventually see the light of day.
“Villagers
have every reason to be disappointed because they can see an opportunity to
improve their living standards yet they are not being given the necessary
support. The area has vast potential to support successful irrigation
agriculture because the water is there. I am hopeful a way out of this
situation will soon be found,” said Madzudzu.
have every reason to be disappointed because they can see an opportunity to
improve their living standards yet they are not being given the necessary
support. The area has vast potential to support successful irrigation
agriculture because the water is there. I am hopeful a way out of this
situation will soon be found,” said Madzudzu.
Addressing
Zanu PF supporters at victory celebrations held at Rutenga growth point
recently, the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira
acknowledged that Manyuchi Dam was one of the many underutilised resources in
the district.
Zanu PF supporters at victory celebrations held at Rutenga growth point
recently, the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs, Ezra Chadzamira
acknowledged that Manyuchi Dam was one of the many underutilised resources in
the district.
