Sinokubonga Nkala
Nqobile Bhebhe, nqobile.bhebhe@chronicle.co.zw
BULAWAYO City Council’s proposed GlassBlock Bopoma Dam, a crucial short to medium-term water project in Insiza District, Matabeleland South, has sparked significant continental interest. The project has attracted over US$90 million in expressions of interest at a recent investment forum, promising to alleviate water shortages and boost the region’s economy.
The dam, which has a two-year construction timeline and an estimated cost of US$100 million, has a projected holding capacity of 130 million cubic metres. It will be constructed through a public-private partnership (PPP).
Strategically located at the intersection of Gwanda, Umzingwane, and Filabusi districts, the dam is expected to boost bulk water supplies for local communities. Plans to construct the dam were first mooted in 1988, but the project was stalled due to funding and other logistical challenges.
A 32km pipeline will link the dam to the Ncema Dam pump station, enabling Bulawayo to access water from the dam.
Bulawayo residents continue to endure prolonged water cuts, sometimes lasting more than a week in some suburbs, at a time when parts of the country are experiencing outbreaks of cholera and diarrhoea.
The situation is exacerbated by the vandalism of transformers and boreholes at Epping Forest and Nyamandlovu, which has reduced the pumping capacity from 20ML to 4ML a day. This has affected 60 000 residents who rely on water from the aquifer. The vandalism of electricity and water infrastructure has been described as a national security threat, prompting the Government to set up an inter-ministerial committee last year to find a lasting solution to the problem.
Last week, Bulawayo mayor, Councillor David Coltart, town clerk, Mr Christopher Dube, and the director of water and sanitation, Engineer Sikhumbuzo Ncube, were in Rabat, Morocco, for the Africa Investment Forum (AIF). The delegation sought to mobilise resources for short, medium, and long-term water and sanitation projects.
AIF is an investment platform aimed at facilitating global investment into Africa by convening project sponsors, financiers, governments, and other key stakeholders to close deals. Led by the African Development Bank Group and seven other founding partners, the AIF operates as a multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary platform that streamlines the process of financing transformative projects across the continent.
Through strategic partnerships and collaborative engagement, AIF brings together global and regional institutional investors, private sector leaders, development finance institutions, commercial banks, insurance companies, export credit agencies, and high-level government representatives to unlock Africa’s investment potential.
Giving an overview of the presentations made, Cllr Coltart expressed confidence that the presentations were successful. Bulawayo was one of six cities across Africa to make presentations and the only one in southern Africa.
“Certainly, there was tremendous interest, and the meeting was exceptionally well attended. Pledges are not made at such a meeting, but there are simple expressions of interest. Of the US$99 million that we are seeking, we had expressions of interest of just over US$90 million, which was an outstanding response. But it cannot be described as a pledge because considerable work needs to be done to convert that interest into actual monetary commitments,” said Cllr Coltart.
The Africa Investment Forum 2024 Market Days recorded a total of $29, 2 billion in new investor interests after three days of boardroom discussions. The Chair of the Africa Investment Forum, President of the African Development Bank Dr Akinwumi Adesina, said 2 300 investors and delegates participated in this year’s Market Days, an increase of 60 percent over last year.
Cllr Coltart further noted that AfDB representatives were extremely encouraged, and from their perspective, it appeared to be a very successful presentation by the combined team. He emphasised the urgency of the short to medium-term water projects, focusing particularly on the construction of the GlassBlock Bopoma Dam.
Construction giant JRG Construction, led by prominent businessman Mr James Ross (JR) Goddard, has been awarded the tender to construct the dam. Preparatory land clearance has already been completed, and the site is being equipped with the necessary machinery.
“We have more urgent needs focused on upgrading the Insiza and Mtshabezi pipelines, and we are already in discussions with the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion. We are also looking at the Nyamandlovu Aquifer to see if its capacity can be increased. On GlassBlock Dam, if we are successful in raising the necessary funds, construction can begin almost immediately. It will take two years for the water to be trapped, and we hope to start trapping water at GlassBlock Bopoma Dam by the 2026 to 2027 rainy season,” said Cllr Coltart.
Part of the project includes the construction of a 32-kilometre pipeline from GlassBlock Bopoma Dam to the Ncema water treatment plant and pumping station, which will progress in parallel with the dam construction.
Mayor Coltart revealed that the current water crisis is growing by the day, with dams sitting at 25 percent capacity. He said the council is “watching the rainy season anxiously.”
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