Zimbabwe's Water Resources Minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo says Chinese contractors have signed an agreement with Harare to start constructing a 245 kilometer water pipeline from the Gwayi-Shangani Dam to the nation’s second capital, Bulawayo.
Nkomo said the Chinese Export and Import Bank have already availed $864 million for the undertaking of the second phase of the ambitious Zambezi Water Project.
He said the money will be paid to the contractors who are expected to complete the project within the next three years.
Nkomo said the Chinese contractors will Saturday meet with water resources officials to finalize some technical issues related to the pipeline.
The water project was mooted in 1912 by the colonial regime but its construction has been delayed due to lack of funds and bickering among some political parties.
Nkomo said the Chinese contractors are ready to start constructing the pipeline. “We hope that the contractors will employ mostly local people along the pipeline corridor,” said Nkomo.
