The Matabeleland Zambezi Water Trust chief executive officer Sarah Ndhlovu said $3 billion is needed for the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (MZWP) to be completed. This comes after residents of Bulawayo bemoaned the slow pace at which the entire project was progressing. Said Ndlovu:
In terms of scale, the entire project is still in its initial stages as only 10% has been completed thus far. If the funds are obtained and no stoppages are experienced, it is anticipated that the project can be completed in three to five years.
To complete the phase linking Bulawayo to the Zambezi River, including the Gwayi-Shangani Dam, an amount of $3 billion to $3,2 billion is needed. The current allocation by the government is $23 million. To date, expenditure on the project is estimated at $20 million.
The project was launched many years ago but little progress has been made owing to lack of funds.