Online Reporter
Patrick Chitumba, [email protected]
CDE Brown Ndlovu, the Vungu Constituency legislator, has made a transformative impact on the Lower Gweru area by installing 10 solar-powered boreholes across 10 wards, directly benefiting over 3 000 households.
The initiative represents a pivotal moment for the local community, which previously endured the hardship of relying on contaminated water from the condemned Gweru River. The newly installed boreholes will provide a reliable source of clean water, significantly reducing the arduous task of travelling long distances to access this essential resource.
This development aligns with the Government’s vision of ensuring inclusivity and progress for all, and serves as a testament to Cde Ndlovu’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the lives of his constituents.
The utilisation of solar power to operate the boreholes also offers a sustainable and environmentally-sound solution, diminishing the community’s dependence on non-renewable energy sources. Overall, this project stands as a welcome and significant advancement for the people of Lower Gweru, promising a lasting positive impact on their quality of life since independence.
The solar-powered boreholes were officially commissioned by the Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, at the Nsikeni Solarised Borehole, Nsikeni Village, Ward 07 in Lower Gweru on Thursday.
Addressing villagers and government officials during the commissioning ceremony, Minister Ncube stressed that water is life, and underscored the imperative to ensure its accessibility to everyone at all times.
“It is an honour for me to officiate on this landmark occasion of the commissioning of 10 solarised boreholes in Nkani, Tununu, Pihli, Tumbire, Bennet, Matshaya, Mangilazi, Nsikeni villages, and Last Chance Bus Stop and Makulambila Primary School, spearheaded by Vungu Constituency Member of Parliament, Cde Brown Ndlovu, with community support here at Nsikeni Village in Lower Gweru,” he said.
Minister Ncube said that the solarised boreholes will provide households in the area with water for livestock, horticulture, and domestic use.
“Allow me, on the onset, to appreciate the Lower Gweru community for its initiatives, resilience, and commitment towards self-reliance livelihoods transformation and economic growth, complementing President Mnangagwa’s rural development 8.0 Vision 2030 accelerator model and mantra of ‘Nyika inovakwa, igotongwa, igonamatigwa nevene vayo,’” he said.
The minister highlighted his recent activities in the Vungu Constituency, including a field day at Mambanjeni Irrigation, opening the Sebakwenyana Bridge, launching the Presidential Input Scheme, and inspecting the Lower Gweru Road. These efforts demonstrate the Second Republic’s dedication to people-centric development, aiming for a prosperous, empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“Accordingly, Nsikeni Solarised Borehole illustrates the New Dispensation’s strategic development approach that recognises the need to mitigate and galvanise communities from the negative effects of climate change by bolstering access to clean and reliable water sources,” he said.
Minister Ncube said that since the Second Republic began in 2017 under President Mnangagwa, the rural-urban divide has been addressed. Marginalised communities now have better access to modern infrastructure and utilities, including dams, ICT infrastructure, solarised boreholes, piped water schemes, village business units (VBUs), mini solar grids, biogas digesters, and mobile solar units.
“Pursuant to the Second Republic’s rural industrialisation agenda, 101 solarised boreholes and 55 VBUs have been rolled out in the Midlands Province. I urge the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development to establish VBUs at 8 of the 10 solarised borehole sites I am commissioning today,” he said.
Minister Ncube urged the Lower Gweru community to safeguard the vital infrastructure provided by the Government, development partners, and Cde Ndlovu.
“Theft and vandalism of public infrastructure is a punishable offence in our courts of law, and all culprits will face the full wrath of the law without fear or favour,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu emphasised that the Vungu Constituency development programme is a critical initiative aimed at driving growth, improving livelihoods, and enhancing the overall well-being of the community.
