adminTawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Chiredzi Town Council chairman Councillor Francis Moyo on Monday unveiled $63 000 community development fund that will be used to open new roads in resettlement areas, dam scooping and construction of five dip tanks.
In an interview with The Herald, Cllr Moyo said villagers approached his firm, Frango Ventures, with concerns of lack of roads in resettlement areas.
“I have just responded to the plight made by villagers from Ward 27 and Ward 28 of Chiredzi after being relocated by Government to their farms that had no roads, perennial water sources for their livestock and for gardening,” he said.
“As part of our corporate social responsibility as Frango Ventures, we have availed $63 000 towards the development of various projects in Chiredzi District.
“Firstly, we have already started opening a 70-kilometre road, which stretches from Ward 27 to Ward 28. Villagers are struggling to travel just because transporters are not willing to service that area because there are no roads.”
Cllr Moyo said as a beneficiary of the Land Reform Programme, he intended to desilt dams and construct dip-tanks for small scale livestock farmers.
“This is just a gesture to say thank you to President Mnangagwa’s administration and a strong thank you to the Government for implementing the Land Reform Programme,” he said.
“To strengthen agro operations in the district we will desilt dams to store water for villagers who want to irrigate. We also want to promote livestock production by constructing dip-tanks and ensure a perennial water source for their livestock.”
The fund would also be used to construct toilets at CA Gibbs Primary School and 007 Primary School.
“We have given books to all early childhood development pupils,” said Cllr Moyo. “We will help construct toilets at CA Gibbs Primary School and at 007 Primary School.
“Nutrition gardens for women will also be opened as a measure of improving the nutritional needs for villagers.”
Ward 28 Village Development Secretary Mr Zimwenje Zimwenje said the developmental projects would uplift their livelihoods.
“We are very delighted that chairman Francis Moyo has pledged to help our villages which have been facing a number of problems,” he said.
“We used to travel longer distances during watering holes for our cattle, but now that our dams are being desilted we will have water close by.
“Our area also used to face acute transport shortages due to the unavailability of roads and the decision by Councillor Moyo to open roads for us will see buses plying our route.”
Online Reporter