MUTARE- Zimbabwe and Mozambique signed a historic 10 year bilateral agreement to enhance judicious management of shared water sources that will strengthen relations between the two countries.
By Donald Nyarota
The Buzi water course agreement is the second phase of BUPUSA tri-basin project initiated in 2002 for shared utilization of water resources in three shared water sources Pungwe, Buzi and Save river basins, under the Revised SADC Protocol on shared water courses of 2000.
Delegates from both countries said the project represents the strengthening of a unique diplomatic relations which stretches back to liberation struggles, as well as ensuring climate resilience in the two nations.
Minister of Lands Air Marshall Perence Shiri said judicious management of water sources would enhance climate change resilience
“Our two governments recognized the need for efficient joint management and coordinated planning and development of the water resources of the Buzi basin to overcome current and future problems of supplying water of adequate quantity and quality to our communities in the basin.
“The signing of this agreement on the Buzi river basin therefore represent s an endeavor by the two governments to address key social, economic, environmental and institutional challenges in the shared river basin,” said Shiri.
Air Marshall Shiri said the two nations should not rest on their laurels but guard against threats of gold panning deforestation and stream bank cultivation to ensure that the project is successful.
He said there was need to ensure the mainstreaming of gender issues within the bi lateral agreement.
“We need to guard against water pollution in all its various forms emanating from gold panning, deforestation, and stream bank cultivation.
“There is need to put in place proactive measures and strategies to manage extreme events like floods and droughts that are a result of climate change. We also need to embrace and mainstream gender as well as HIV and AIDS issues within the river basins,” he said.
