Unlocking Osborne Dam’s potential to empower communities
THE devolution agenda by Government has pushed districts and provinces alike to critically think on how they can contribute to economic development using resources in their locality.
Plans are already in motion by the Department of Irrigation to put a total of 450 hectare of land around the majestic tourism facility, Osborne Dam under centre-piece pivot irrigation.
Stakeholders in Manicaland have started deliberations on developing a master plan that will guide long-term development of the majestic Osborne Dam and areas around it while empowering locals.
Osborne Dam was constructed between 1988 and 1994 by Italian contractor, Salim Impregillo, with an estimated surface area of 1 392 square kilometres and a holding capacity of about 491 620 mega-litres of water.
For close to three decades, there is not much agricultural activity around the dam as the bulk of the water has been channelled for use by farmers in Middle Sabi and Chisumbanje as well as at Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company at Chiadzwa diamond fields in Marange, according to a breakdown of usage issued by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
Livelihood options in and around Osborne Dam include fish farming (mainly cage fish, fish line method, controlled net fish catching), accommodation in the form of lodges or chalets, boat cruise, downstream agricultural activities, camping sites and open air events, among other things.
At an inaugural planning meeting held recently which was spearheaded by the Department of Spatial Planning under the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, participants who included traditional leaders from Mutare, Mutasa and Makoni districts advocated for a master plan which will benefit and improve the livelihoods of local communities around the dam.
According to a ZIMSTAT presentation at the meeting, Zimbabwe’s Gross Domestic Product stood at $12.3 trillion and Manicaland’s contribution was 9.39 percent.
Speaking at the meeting, acting Manicaland provincial director for the Department of Spatial Planning, Ms Esther Chidhakwa said: “Osborne Dam is one of the two dams in Manicaland with the other being Marovanyati in Buhera earmarked for development master plans. President Mnangagwa and the Second Republic are focused on making sure that communities get maximum benefit from the resources within their surroundings. Real work has to start now to ensure that the master plan helps unlock the dam’s potential for the benefit of all.”
Chiefs Marange and Mutasa concurred on why there has not been much progress in capacitating local communities and benefit from the water despite continued promises made over the years. They expressed hope that the renewed efforts to develop a master plan will see the light of the day and tangible results will be delivered.
Said Chief Mutasa: “Mutasa District, if the status quo remains, will have its Gross
Domestic Product (GDP) contribution to the nation diminished since the water from its area is bringing productivity in other districts like Chipinge, yet the source of the water is Mutasa.”
Potential benefits raised at the meeting which could be considered in the master plan include the setting up of a small hydro-power to generate electrical energy, structured fishing opportunities, irrigation to counter the adverse effects of climate change and ensure food security as well as tourism business opportunities.
Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Authority (ZimParks) is managing about 108km2 of the area around the dam as a park stocked with game, a camping site and lodges which the community feels is being underutilised and is not benefiting them. Traditional leaders, mostly local headmen, expressed concern that some communities around the dam are being denied fishing rights by ZimParks.
They were encouraged to formally approach ZimParks since they already have two fishing co-operatives from the community with fishing licences benefiting.
The process to develop a master plan may take up to three years as set out in the Regional Town and Country Planning Act which guides the formulation of spatial planning policy and standards.
The Osborne Dam and Marovanyati master planning process follows the successful approval of the Tugwi Mukosi Dam Master Plan in Masvingo Province.
Efforts by Government to empower communities adds to the Second Republic’s ambition to achieve an upper middle income economy by 2030 under Vision 2030. Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck Mugadza, is on record saying there is need for more diversified sustainable tourism products for Manicaland that will preserve natural and cultural legacy for future generations to enjoy and appreciate, attract environmentally and socially conscious tourists who are the current and future travellers and support locally owned businesses and preserving traditional ways of life for the betterment of our local economies.