Bridge linking three districts commissioned

Patrick Chitumba

Midlands Bureau Chief

THE Sabakwenyana Bridge linking Gweru, Kwekwe and Nkayi districts has been commissioned in Lower Gweru.

This will provide relief to villagers and farmers who have faced challenges with accessibility. The 75-metre long bridge was constructed by the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency.

The bridge complements other bridges in the Midlands province, extending a critical infrastructure development initiative that affirms the Government’s vision of attaining an upper middle-income society by 2030.

Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Owen Ncube, said the bridge complements other bridges in the Midlands province such as the Phoenix Dam bridge in Mberengwa, the Manhize-Munyati bridge in Chirumhanzu, the Gunguhwe bridge in Gokwe North and Chemusonde bridge in Gokwe South.

“This development initiative attests to President Mnangagwa’s commitment to modernise infrastructure in pursuit of an upper middle-income economy earlier than 2030. I am grateful that we are showcasing life-changing and tangible achievements by the New Dispensation,” he said.

“Our national vision of attaining an upper-middle income society earlier than 2030 is anchored on values of servant leadership, commitment, hard and honest work and strategic socio-economic fundamentals, which include devolution and decentralisation, industrialisation, ICT as well as modernisation of infrastructure.”

Minister Ncube said critical infrastructure projects are being implemented across the country riding on comparative advantages in local human and material resources.

He said President Mnangagwa is committed towards an inclusive development thrust by bringing services closer to the people in line with the Second Republic’s development agenda of leaving no one and no place behind.

“Sabakwenyana Bridge will improve accessibility along Gweru City, Lower Gweru and Kwekwe districts and the two Matabeleland provinces. It will also improve access to Shagari, Nkawana and Ntabamhlophe Business Centres as it connects Gweru to Nkayi,” said Minister Ncube.

“Furthermore, farmers from Insukamini, Mkoba and Mambanjeni irrigation schemes stand to benefit from easy transportation of produce to GMB and other markets. Sabakwenyana Bridge has effectively reduced travelling distances to surrounding public institutions such as Machaya Primary School, Hozoli Primary and Secondary schools, Dwaleni Primary School, Ntabamhlophe Primary and Secondary schools.”

Minister Ncube said as the community cherishes these achievements demonstrated by the completion of the Sabakwenyana Bridge, it is also important to acknowledge other projects spearheaded by the Second Republic in pursuit of Vision 2030, which include the establishment of irrigation schemes to improve food and nutrition security through climate-proofing agriculture.

“These include the Biri Irrigation Scheme in Mberengwa, the Insukamini Irrigation Scheme and Exchange Irrigation Scheme in Kwekwe. As the Midlands Province, we are the heartbeat of the nation,” he said.

“We are united and have full confidence in the leadership of President Mnangagwa. Our total support to ensure the realisation of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society under his leadership is resolute.”

Minister Ncube said despite the El Nino-induced drought, President Mnangagwa assured the nation that no one would die of hunger under the Second Republic.

“Accordingly, the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme has been rolled out by the Government to provide grain to all food-insecure households. In this regard, I direct the drought relief committees to diligently distribute food relief fairly and transparently,” he said.

“The Government caters for transportation costs and attempts to charge beneficiaries’ unjustified transport costs for drought relief will be severely dealt with.”