Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube recently in Binga
THE District Development Fund (DDF) has started rehabilitating roads and bridges that were damaged by rains in Matabeleland North province and requires RTGS$15 million for Binga District which was hardest hit by the floods.
The department needs about $39 million for the whole province, DDF provincial coordinator Mr Lawrence Ndebele said.
Speaking during a tour of DDF projects in Binga’s Lusulu and Nsungwaale areas last week, Mr Ndebele said focus is on Binga district because of the extent of damage caused by the recent rains.
Binga District was hit by floods that damaged roads and bridges in Nsungwaale area under Chief Sinakoma.
Some roads in Lusulu were also damaged.
DDF administers some specific roads in each district while others fall under local authorities and the Department of Roads under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
In Nsungwaale the department is redirecting Binga-Nsungwaale Nsenga road which was extensively damaged by floods, and land has been cleared in partnership with Binga Rural District Council towards construction of a new seven-kilometre road.
In Lusulu work is underway on the Lupane-Lusulu Road to repair bridges and parts of the road.
Mr Ndebele said they hope to finish the projects in a few months’ time if resources permit.
“We know that Nsungwaale was affected by floods hence we are here to resuscitate infrastructure. We have a programme to rehabilitate all roads and bridges affected by rains and here we are doing a new road connecting Nsungwaale to Siabuwa main road. In Lusulu we are following up on wash-aways,” he said.
“We will also be doing similar projects across the province where we are rehabilitating roads and bridges destroyed by rains and we are looking at $39 million. For Binga alone we need about $15 million, money which we don’t have. We are using funds meant for other projects for the whole year and it is our wish that we get funding particularly dedicated to these projects hence we appeal to authorities for help.”
At Nsungwaale DDF is also drilling a borehole to supply water to villagers who were affected by floods.
“We are doing 27 boreholes in Binga district of which seven will be new. We will also be cleaning those that were contaminated due to floods,” said Mr Ndebele.
Chinomba 2 headman Mr Petros Siakanenge Kembo implored authorities to erect other bridges across Nandobe and Nsungwaale rivers.
He said the villagers that were affected by floods need water, a clinic, roads and schools. – @ncubeleon.
Online Reporter