Jonathan Moyo calls for more research on water

Higher and Tertiary Education minister Jonathan Moyo has called for increased collaborative research initiatives towards ground water resource evaluation and assessment.

Moyo was officiating at the ongoing 5th China-Africa Water Resources conference in Victoria Falls hosted by National University of Science and Technology when he made the call yesterday.

The conference came against the backdrop of the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which speaks about "availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all".

"This is cast in light of the realisation that the role of ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030 cannot be left for government alone," Moyo said.

"It is also understood that designing and investing in adequate infrastructure by government is simply not enough … There is need for increased efforts in water research and development, promotion and inclusion of women, youth and local communities in water resources governance."

Moyo said the government had keen interest in such forums as its objectives related to the new policy and legislative thrust on the transformation of education for the industrialisation and modernisation of the country.

He said the forum came at an opportune time when the country's research initiatives were grappling with problems of bulk water supply, irrigated agricultural schemes, water utilisation efficiency and effective water treatment technological solutions.

"Zimbabwe has particularly been experiencing climate change-induced effects of extreme weather that has seen severe droughts in the Midlands, Masvingo, Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North provinces.

"Increasing research efforts in these communities, towards sustainable utilisation of groundwater and other water engineering technologies is expected to provide sustainable solutions. It is common cause that in these areas, most conventional surface water supplies are seasonal and dry up in winter," he said.

There forum, which is being attended by researchers and academics from eight different African countries, is expected to usher new ideas on improved management and utilisation of water resources in developing countries for universal safe and reliable water.