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From George Maponga in Mwenezi
THE government has ordered an immediate start of the second relocation of nearly 3,000 Tokwe-Mukosi flood victims from their one-hectare plots at the Nuanetsi Ranch to bigger and more spacious plots as part of efforts to improve food security among the hunger-stricken families. An initial 300 families will start being relocated from the ranch to Masangula Ranch before the end of this week in a development that is going to ease congestion by opening more space for farming activities.
The relocation of the flood victims to bigger plots is expected to improve food security among the families who have been relying on the government for food since their relocation from Chingwizi temporary camp in August last year.
Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development Minister Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday said each of the Tokwe-Mukosi families will be allocated a total of 20 hectares to ensure they can carry out sustainable farming activities.
The government, through the Masvingo provincial leadership identified seven farms in Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts to allocate bigger plots to the flood victims who had initially been allocated a one-hectare plot each.
Speaking after meeting some of the flood victims at Nyuni Secondary School at Nuanetsi Ranch, Minister Kasukuwere, who led a Cabinet committee tasked with overseeing the second relocation of the families, said the relocation process would start with immediate effect.
Minister Kasukuwere, who was accompanied by his Lands and Rural Resettlement counterpart Douglas Mombeshora and his deputy Cde Berita Chikwama, Liaison and Psychomotor Activities in Education and Vocational Training Minister Josaya Hungwe and Masvingo provincial affairs minister Senator Shuvai Mahofa, said the government would mobilise resources to set up infrastructure on farms where the flood victims will be settled. “We’re happy that the families have agreed with our plans to move them to bigger and more spacious plots. The relocation exercise will start tomorrow (today) because we want to have moved all the families who are supposed to move before the start of the rain season,’’ he said.
“The government is ready to start the relocation exercise. We’re not going to wait for donors to help us and we’ll also set up infrastructure such as roads, schools and clinics in the new areas where people will be settled. The first group of 300 families will immediately be moved to Masangula Ranch,’’ he added. Minister Kasukuwere said each family will be allocated one hectare for building a homestead, six hectares for crop farming and 13 hectares grazing land.
Online Reporter