Zinwa partners SA company on Gwayi-Shangani pipeline project
THE Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) in partnership with a South African company, Flowtite, has supplied glass fibre reinforced pipes (GRP pipes) worth US$50 million to the Gwayi-Shangani pipeline as part of efforts to end Bulawayo’s perennial water woes.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Harare yesterday, Zinwa chief executive officer Taurai Maurukira said the project was expected to transform livelihoods in Zimbabwe’s second largest city.
“The contract being signed today marks giant links towards the delivery of the longer way term of the National Matabeleland-Zambezi Water Project which comprises three components, the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam which is currently underway, the construction of the 252km-long pipeline to draw water from the dam to Bulawayo and the construction of yet another pipeline from Zambezi River to Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
“The contract will see Flowtite South Africa supplying the pipes to cover the entire pipeline of 252km. The 52% under this contract is in the $50 million and then the second 50% is going to be manufactured under a partnership wherein localisation of the manufacture of those pipes will come into effect,” Maurukira said.
He said at least five booster points would be established which would enable communities to draw water for their irrigation requirements from the pipeline.
Flowtite South Africa general manager Bantu Mselana said they would offer training to civil contractors and Zinwa staff.
“We are the sole manufacturers in Africa and we are willing to meet the objectives and assist the country to ensure that we address water challenges,” Mselana said.-newsday
