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Andrew Muvishi Correspondent
Government has disbursed $2,5 million to Mashonaland East Province for use in fighting the spread of Covid-19.
Marondera Municipality received $1 million, while Mashonaland East provincial medical director Dr Simukai Zizhou received $1,5 million on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Speaking at the Covid-19 inter-ministerial national taskforce briefing and validating meeting at Rudhaka Stadium in Marondera, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza said water remained a pertinent resource, especially in the fight against the spread of Covid-19.
“Government has disbursed $1 million to Marondera Municipality and $ 750 000 will be channelled to water supply and refurbishment of water pump at Wenimbe Dam,” he said.
“We are aware that raw sewer is flowing into Rufaro Dam and there is need for urgent attention on the matter. Wenimbe Dam has clean water, but there is need of more water treatment chemicals.”
Minister Matiza expressed gratitude towards Mashonaland East province’s readiness to fight the spread of Covid-19.
“We are happy that in this province you managed to establish well-functioning isolation camps in hotspot areas and we are aware that you have plans to establish more isolation camps in the districts,” he said.
Minister Matiza said Government liaised with the Chinese government to provide more testing equipment and local aviation companies to assist with private planes.
“We want to provide more testing kits and these testing kits are not yet there,” he said.
“We are have liaised with local aviation companies and they promised to assist us with private planes in case of emergency.”
Minister Matiza urged residents to comply with the directive of staying home.
“Our enforcement team is going to arrest those who are found breaking the lockdown regulations, so far 5 226 culprits have been arrested,” said Minister Matiza.
Speaking at the same occasion, Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs Minister Aplonia Munzverengwi said they were going to fumigate Marondera city and all growth points in the province.
“We are aware that there is massive urban-rural migration, so those people in rural areas need to be educated about Covid-19,” she said.
“We are going to visit all growth points with public address systems and educate them about Covid-19. We need more testing kits, the situation can get out of hand if those who have been given the privilege to patrol abuse it.”
Dr Zizhou said the isolation camp at Marondera Provincial Hospital had been completed and they were going to establish more camps at Mahusekwa District Hospital (Marondera), All Souls Mission (Mutoko), Wedza, Makumbe, Chivhu District Hospital and at Chiota Rural Clinic.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter