The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Monday, January 11, 1993 — A team of experts from France is expected in the country next month to carry out the $8 million engineering study for the Zambezi River pipeline scheme for which the French government is providing the money, the co-chairman of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project, who is also the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Dumiso Dabengwa, said yesterday.

In an interview Cde Dabengwa said half of the $8 million would be in the form of a grant and the other half a soft loan.

“We are expecting a French team of experts to be in the country next month to carry out detailed studies on the project,” he said.

Cde Dabengwa said the French team of experts would, among other things, provide the MZWP trustees with details on materials to be used some of which have to be imported.

Cde Dabengwa said the MZWP was receiving Government backing and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and Water Development would negotiate with neighbouring states who share the Zambezi River with Zimbabwe.

The MZWP was formed in October 1991 and aims to raise $1 billion to channel water from the Zambezi River to drought-prone Matabeleland region. To date nearly $8 million has been raised. Following its launch, Government intervened in March 1992 and formed a new task force as a prelude to formation of a new trust fund.

Meanwhile, the new Matabeleland North Provincial Governor, Cde Welshman Mabhena, says he has alternative water development plans for the province – the Shangani/Gwayi confluence dam.

“I am going to put my weight behind that project,” he said in an interview at the weekend.