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Fairness Moyana in Binga
THE Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Responsible for Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes Dr Joram Gumbo has said the Government is seized with addressing developmental disparities across the country that saw some areas such as Binga lagging behind.
For years, Binga District has remained largely marginalised in terms of infrastructure development with several projects either stalled or progressing at a snail’s pace.
The Second Republic has started addressing these shortcomings through implementation of high-impact projects.
The projects, which the Government has greenlighted for implementation in Binga include the rehabilitation of roads, construction of a vocational training centre, a new border post, establishment of a nursing school at Binga Hospital and the refurbishment and operationalisation of the hospital mortuary.
Government recently completed the rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip. The implementation of several major projects in the district is in line with the Second Republic’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind in national development.
Addressing stakeholders during a tour of the rehabilitated Binga Airstrip and the Civil Registry building yesterday, Dr Gumbo said Government continues to walk the talk in its development agenda of leaving no one and no place behind.
“The Government has therefore deliberately chosen a path that actually reduces and corrects developmental disparities across the country’s provinces and districts with the ultimate objective of combating poverty. In this regard, several projects were identified for implementation to improve the livelihoods of the people of Binga and other areas across the country,” he said.
Dr Gumbo said his visit had enabled him to appreciate the work being done in the rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip and the construction of the Central Registry.
The Binga Airstrip, which is almost complete is a game changer in the promotion of tourism in the district.
The rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip, alongside others in the country was started last year as part of efforts to improve accessibility to tourism hotspots in remote areas.
Binga tourist attractions include hot springs, wildlife, fishing, boating, crocodile farming and cultural activities among others.
The district is also home to the country’s sole sand beaches and Chizarira National Park.
Dr Gumbo said the rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip is in line with the Government efforts to offer reliable air transport which is expectd to boost tourism.
“The rehabilitation of the Binga Airstrip is therefore a welcome development and is in line with the Government’s strategic initiatives under the National Development Strategy 1. Since the Government is implementing the devolution and decentralisation policy, it is imperative that each region has its own functional airport or airstrip,” he said.
Binga District Development Fund (DDF) road maintenance officer, Mr Daniel Muleya said the entire 1,1km stretch of the airstrip had been rehabilitated and there are plans to extend it.
“We have almost completed the works which include the rehabilitation of 1,1km length and 17 metres width of the airstrip. The contractor is busy on the ground and there are plans to extend 90m on the west and 60m on the east,” he said.
Mr Muleya said old structures which will be upgraded to a departure lounge and ablution facilities were being renovated.
The airstrip is handling between three and four planes per day with the number likely to increase soon.
The Government is also working on connecting water and electricity as well as fencing the airstrip.
Dr Gumbo expressed satisfaction with progress made in the construction of the Civil Registry building.
The project whose construction begun in 2003 stalled a year later after it had reached 10 percent completion. Work is now at 52 percent completion and is expected to be completed in March next year.
President Mnangagwa visited Binga in April and directed that several measures be taken to develop the previously marginalised district.
In a departure from the past when development projects were largely seen to be political rhetoric, real transformation is taking place in the district.
Barely four months after President Mnangagwa visited the district, Government departments are making milestones in developing Binga.
Solar equipped boreholes are being drilled at chiefs’ homesteads as well as in the community to improve access to water.
Roads are being rehabilitated and this has improved access to public transport.
Online Reporter