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Nelson Masukume
CDE Clifford Cameroon Sibanda, the recently re-elected MP for Bubi constituency, is a man on a mission to unite the people and create a better living environment through the provision of basic needs such as water and food.Looking ahead to the next five years, Cde Sibanda committed himself to continuing with the people-centred programmes that he had been implementing before his re-election as MP.
Many in his constituency are happy to have elected a tried and tested leader. They look forward to their MP continuing on the path to delivery.
Meluleki Sibanda, the youth councillor based in Ward 15 at Inyathi Co-operative said:
“We as youths support irrigation schemes 150 percent. These will create incomes for youths who will afford to produce crops and vegetables for sale.”
The projects that Cde Sibanda would help sustain or initiate include water provision, support for agriculture, road rehabilitation and so on.
On clean water provision, Cde Sibanda said that he would pursue a multi-pronged programme. So far he has helped revive the entire water infrastructure in Ward 19, Kennilworth and made a major revamp of the water provision facility at Ehlathini in Ward 21.
Working with his constituents, he sourced requisite water pipes to revive the then derelict water pumping system in Kennilworth Ward 19.
Mr Jasper Ndlovu said the people in Bubi expect the MP to facilitate the building of schools, clinics, roads or at least improve existing ones.
“An MP must never have an excuse. He must build a school, clinic or road or at least improve an existing one,” he said.
The recent acquisition of two tanks and a submersible pumping system is expected to improve domestic water supply for the people of Ehlathini who have suffered prolonged water shortages for some time.
Cde Sibanda said he was humbled by the Bubi electorate’s trust in him.
“May I commend the people for placing their faith in me by re-electing me as their MP,” he said.
“I will continue with my programmes. Water remains one of the challenges in Bubi. I am working with all partners to revive existing boreholes and set up new ones.”
He said his vision was to secure adequate money for the installation of user-friendly solar-powered boreholes convenient for use by women. He said women are an indispensable part of every household and their lives must be enhanced and an improvement in their water provision facilities was one such a measure.
Cde Sibanda said his ultimate goal was to establish adequate and functioning water facilities across the length and breadth of Bubi Constituency with a population of about 60 000 people in its 23 wards.
Turning to food security in Bubi, Cde Sibanda said he has drafted a comprehensive action plan directed towards the revitalisation of irrigation schemes across the constituency.
He cited Ward One, (Paradise community), Ward 22 (Philip Farm) and Ward 23 (Pinch Mine) saying these areas had defunct irrigation schemes that needed urgent attention for community benefit.
“Irrigation is a major contributor to both domestic and commercial food production in most drought prone areas. Bubi lies in a region of low rainfall and irrigation schemes remain the only viable alternative,” said Cde Sibanda.
He noted that irrigation schemes were not only going to improve food provision but would also create employment. In its campaign Zanu-PF focused on indigenisation, empowerment, employment creation and the development of a holistic framework for natural growth and prosperity. This is the framework that is guiding all arms of the State in the next five years.
As a ruling party MP, Cde Sibanda is guided by the same framework. It is envisaged that the irrigation schemes, once resuscitated, will boost domestic food production and absorb hundreds of unemployed school leavers.
Recently, Chief Mabhikwa of Lupane, which is as generally dry as Bubi, urged the Government to revive irrigation facilities in the area.
When the electorate elects one of their own into the august House, it does so with the hope that the elected individual would be loyal, honest and subservient to them.
The electorate, above all, envisages that the elected member would spearhead economic and social programmes essentially meant to improve the lives of the ordinary people.
The electorate needs improved health services, schools, roads, water and capacity to set up businesses such as piggery and chicken rearing.
It is of concern that Parliament, especially the immediate past one was populated by fortune seekers, who masqueraded as legislators who were accountable to noone else but their own pockets. Many of them failed to account for their Constituency Development Fund allocations.
Everyone eagerly waited to hear their names announced and their egos shamed. The roads, schools and clinics were never built when the fund was corruptly blown.
But it would not be business as usual this term, for the ruling party at least, with the recent announcement by Zanu-PF national chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo that all legislators would be subjected to thorough periodic performance appraisals.
Speaking a day before the recent inauguration of President Mugabe in Harare, Cde Khaya Moyo said:
“I will appeal through the Presidium that every MP submits quarterly reports to measure his/her performance. These reports shall be followed by inspection units. There is nobody who is going to be a Missing Person.”
Cde Khaya Moyo said Government shall never be a haven for errant MPs who dump their constituencies in pursuit of personal aggrandisement. With the advent of such a supervisory mechanism, pilfering, errant, pleasure-seeking and sleepy MPs may as well say “good bye” to their “Missing Persons” status.
Online Reporter