Zimbabwe, Mozambique sign water project

MUTARE-Zimbabwe and Mozambique on Monday signed the Buzi, Pungwe and Save Tri-Basin water project bilateral agreement that is aimed at fighting poverty in both countries through sustainable agricultural activities.

Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlements Perrance Shiri and his Mozambican counterpart Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources Joao Osvaldo Machatine signed the agreement for both governments.

The project was financed by GIZ, German Cooperation and UKAID.
The project commenced in 2018 and is expected to end this year.
Global Water Partnership Southern Africa is implementing the project on behalf of SADC.

Speaking during the signing ceremony at a local hotel in Mutare, Shiri said the project presented an endeavour from both governments to address key social and economic challenges faced by the communities from both countries.

“The end result of this project will definitely stimulate and support appropriate development-oriented investments in the water basin that will contribute to poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability,” said Shiri.

“This agreement shall be an important guiding tool that should compel all of us in our joint endeavours to contribute to the planning, development and management of water resources,” explained Shiri.

Muchatine said the water project is expected to sustain irrigation and electricity projects.

“We are expecting to establish a 45 000 hactares irrigation project. We are also going to embark on the generating 94 megawatts of electricity,” he said.

“We need to improve the livelihoods of our people from both countries. The communities must benefit from this development to sustain their lives,” said Muchatine.

The two countries share Buzi, Pungwe and Save rivers.