RIDA drills 110 boreholes to provide clean water

THE Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) has drilled 110 boreholes across Matabeleland South and targeting to repair 1 220 others as Government steps up efforts to improve access to clean water.

A total of 50 boreholes will be drilled using funds from the Treasury while RIDA has engaged partners to drill the other 60.

In an interview, RIDA Matabeleland South acting provincial coordinator, Mr Joseph Dube said more boreholes will be drilled and rehabilitated during the course of the year.

“Under the water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH), this year we are targeting to drill 50 boreholes in Matabeleland South under the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). We will be focusing on areas that are under water stress,” he said.

“We are yet to assess areas which have been worst affected by drought. We will be inclined towards areas where dams would have dried up. The boreholes will also benefit livestock.”

Mr Dube said they engaged their WASH partners to drill 60 boreholes in identified areas.

“We have some partners that have already sent their teams to the ground for assessment while others are waiting to be cleared before they start work,” he said.

Mr Dube said 1 220 hand pump boreholes will be repaired as part of routine maintenance. He said $375 million has been allocated towards repairing the Crocodile piped water scheme in Umzingwane district.

RIDA is also set to complete reconstruction works of Fakanye Dam in Mangwe district which is now 72 percent complete. Mr Dube said $412 million has been allocated towards the project this year.

He said in terms of roads they have set a target of 642km for routine maintenance.

“Our mandate is also to maintain roads which are under our jurisdiction. We have set a target to do routine maintenance on 624 km across the entire province. We will be doing verge clearing and towed grading across the province,” said Mr Dube.

“Our road maintenance works will be done when need arises. Some of our road maintenance works that we do are supported by Zinara.”

Mr Dube said Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) allocated them $3,4 billion to do regravelling works on Chief Masendu-Gonde- Matiwaza Road in Bulilima.

“We will also be working on the Lutumba- Tongwe- Bulawayo Road in Beitbridge. Each road is a stretch of 10 km. We have $450 million allocated towards building Simukwe Bridge which connects Matobo and Mangwe,” he said.

Mr Dube said soil sample collection is underway. The sample will be sent for laboratory tests in Harare.

“Soils are now being tested before a bridge is constructed to improve bridge structures. This will help to reduce incidences of dams being swept away by water,” he said.

Mr Dube said they will also reconstruct Siyoka Bridge in Beitbridge which was recently swept away by water.

“We would like to thank the Second Republic for its continuous support in terms of resourcing and equipping us for us to be able to serve the public. We continue to receive funds, equipment, fuel and other resources which have helped to make our work easier,” he said.