In a convergence of water interests, Mozambique and Zimbabwe have cemented commitments on the management of the river basins of the Buzi, Pungué and Save rivers, as announced by the Mozambican Executive.
These commitments are aimed at designing essential structures in line with a philosophy of judicious use of water, with an emphasis on improving flood forecasting and warning systems. Mechanisms are also planned to respond to extremely serious situations, which have been occurring with increasing frequency and intensity.
The commitments were ratified by ministers of both countries, and validated by the respective heads of State, during a visit by Filipe Nyusi, President of Mozambique, to the Zimbabwean capital, Harare. On the occasion, Nyusi was received by Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Nyusi stressed that these commitments should provide for more effective management of resources and facilitate the construction of infrastructure for the management of water resources.
Carlos Mesquita, Mozambique's Minister of Public Works, attached great strategic importance to the three river basins that cross central and southern Mozambique.
Mesquita highlighted that it was in these river basins that projects vital to Mozambique's economic development were built, such as the Chicamba hydroelectric dam, the Mavuzi weir, the Muda Nhaurire dam and the Gorongosa dam.
According to him, this infrastructure plays a crucial role in supplying water to communities, in agricultural production, in generating electricity, in supplying water to industry and in preserving the environment.
There is an intention to develop joint projects in the future. Mesquita mentioned two pieces of infrastructure located in Zimbabwe but with implications for Mozambique: the Chipanda Pool dam, capable of storing 510 million cubic metres of water, and Chitowe, with a capacity of 50 million cubic metres. Both are about 70 kilometres from the border.
The Minister explained that the allocation strategy would be outlined during fundraising. Furthermore, Mozambique would build a series of weirs intended to regulate the flow of the rivers and boost agricultural and livestock development in the provinces of Gaza, Manica, Sofala and Inhambane, the Mozambican official concluded.
