Zimbabwe completes construction of largest inland dam

Zimbabwe has completed construction of its largest inland dam at a cost of nearly 260 million U.S. dollars, the state-run Herald newspaper reported Thursday.

Construction of Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, located in the arid southern part of the country, started 18 years ago but was delayed due to funding shortage.

Italian firm Salini Impregilo built the dam with a capacity of 1.8 billion cubic meters that is expected to boost irrigation in the south and southeastern parts of the country.

"Tokwe-Mukosi Dam is now complete and started impounding water on December 10," Tsungirirai Shoriwa, corporate communications officer with the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, was quoted as saying.

Shoriwa said preparations for commissioning of the dam were underway.

The dam, which marks one of the major infrastructure development projects for Zimbabwe in recent years, would boost irrigation for the country's sugar plantations and reduce pressure on existing dams in the province, he said.

As of Jan. 17, the dam held 210 million cubic meters of water, which is capable of irrigating at least 3,000 hectares of land.

At full capacity, the dam will irrigate more than 25,000 hectares of land and arguably transform the arid province into Zimbabwe's irrigation hub.

Capable of generating over 15 megawatts of electricity, the dam will also boost tourism as some hotels and casinos are planned along the dam's scenic shores.

Completion of the dam came at time when Zimbabwe is reeling from the effects of climate change that caused droughts in recent years. Endit