-contractors for 15MW US$40m hydro plant on site
Roseline Mutare
The long awaited Lake Tugwi Mukosi master plan which has been gathering dust since the completion of US$285m biggest inland water body in the country in 2017 is set for implementation pending legal procedures.
In a move to unlock the economic potential of Lake Tugwi-Mukosi, Cabinet has directed the speedy implementation of the water body’s Combination Master Plan. This decision was made during the 37th Cabinet meeting held on November 19, 2024.
As stated in the post cabinet briefing, “Cabinet directed that the implementation of the Lake Tugwi-Mukosi Combination Master Plan be expedited under the chairmanship of the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development.” This is due to the growing interest from investors to commence major economic activities around the lake.
The master plan, developed by Vice President Rtd Gen Constantino Chiwenga and crafted by the Great Zimbabwe University, Midlands State University and a South African consultant at an estimated cost of US$900 000 aims to steer developmental initiatives focused on tourism and agriculture, including holiday homes, gaming viewing, harbors, irrigation, and fisheries.
With a capacity to irrigate over 40 000 hectares, Lake Tugwi-Mukosi is poised to significantly contribute to Zimbabwe’s food security and forex earnings through exports.
The implementation will be overseen by the Tugwi Mukosi Combination Master Plan Authority, comprising Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA), Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), and local councillors from Chivi and Masvingo.
The project promises to bring substantial modernization and employment opportunities to the communities surrounding the dam, particularly in Chivi, which is generally arid and in need of irrigation.
The construction of Lake Tugwi Mukosi has had its share of serious problems and the fact that the government is dilly dallying on master plan implementation is not surprising to most people including a senior civil servant from Chivi who could not be named for professional reasons.
“I understand this lake has been in the pipe line since 1968 and the plans and master plan were there although biased towards sugar cane farmers by the white regime.
“Soon after Independence this was one of the projects that were discussed and set for implementation but due to bureaucracy and lack of will on the part of government it only saw the light of day in June 1998 but serious construction started in 2011 with stoppages here and there due to unwillingness to fund the massive project by the fiscus. So, to some of us this is not new at all and not surprising, unless a miracle happens I think it’s just hot air, nothing will move except the issuance of statements after statements,” said the senior civil servant.
Construction started in 1998 but was stopped due to lack of prioritization by the government as funds were diverted to the then ongoing unpopular civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Construction kicked off in earnest in 2011 when an Italian company, Salini Impregilo was contracted to complete the civil works with Masimba Holdings being subcontracted for concrete works and KW Blasting involved in grouting and blasting.
It stalled again in February 2014 after the devastating floods that displaced 20 000 people from Chivi and lack of funds as well.
Funds were released in 2016 and the contractor went back on site and in December of the same year the dam was completed and eventually commissioned in May 2017.
Masvingo Province Permanent Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Dr Addmore Pazvakavambwa said according to the Regional Town and Country Planning Act Chapter 29.12 stipulates that after the approval of the master plan by Cabinet it needs to be gazetted as part of the legal process before implementation.
He added that a 15MW hydro power plant is already underway at the water body and the project is being spearheaded by insurance giant Old Mutual.
Lake Tugwi–Mukosi is a concrete-face rockfill dam, with a total height of 90,3m and a storage capacity of 1.803 billion cubic metres.
