Zamcom Boosts Zim Chances of Drawing From Zambezi

13 May 2011

The constituting of the Zambezi Watercourse Commission (Zamcom) interim secretariat has boosted Zimbabwe’s chances of getting permission from riparian states to draw water from the Zambezi River.

Riparian states are countries connected to a river and those riparian to the mighty Zambezi River include Angola, Namibia, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania, and Mozambique.

According to information from Zamcom, the secretariat which is based in Botswana would work toward achieving regional integration in sharing the treasured water resource of the Zambezi River basin.

The establishment of a permanent secretariat and other requisite organs of the commission are dependent on ratification of the agreement. Five countries have already ratified the agreement but it can only come into force after six of the eight riparian states ratify it.

The main objective of the Zamcom is to “promote the equitable and reasonable utilisation of the water resources of the Zambezi Watercourse as well as ensure the efficient management and sustainable development thereof”.

“The first responsibility of the secretariat is to coordinate the riparian states and inform them of the expected steps needing their support towards the realisation of the ultimate operationalisation of the Zamcom agreement and its vital governance organs.” Zamcom said in a statement.

The Zambezi watercourse is of particular importance in the region because it is shared by eight countries with a total population of over 50 million.

Water Resources and Development minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo was unavailable for comment but he revealed last year that Zimbabwe had formally approached other riparian countries to seek permission to draw water from the Zambezi.

The newly renamed National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project has long been touted as a permanent solution to the permanent water crisis in the Matabeleland region.

However, the water project has moved at a snail’s pace with no substantial developments in sight despite numerous cash injections by the government and several stakeholders over the years.

The ambitious project to pump water from the Zambezi, some 452 kilometres from Bulawayo, was first mooted in 1912 but has subsequently remained a pipe dream since successive governments abandoned it due to the high costs involved.

AllAfrica – All the Time