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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
Chimanimani Rural District Council is optimistic that political and economic reforms driven by the new political administration led by President Mnangagwa will help it regain lost glory.
Council chief executive Mr Nehemia Deure said the local authority was pinning its hopes on Government’s progressive policies in order to stem the economic decline of the past decades.
“We bore the brunt of the viability challenges that affected the timber and tourism industries from which we used to receive significant revenue inflows.
“Most organisations are now pinning their hopes on the new dispensation and President ED’s call to lure investors into the country,” he said.
He said challenges facing the timber and tourism industries had impacted on revenue inflows for most institutions, including council.
“Our revenue base has been mainly affected by the viability challenges faced by companies in these two sectors. Timber companies were our main source of revenue since more than a third of this district is covered by forests.
“Border Timbers is under judicial management, Allied Timber is struggling and so is Wattle Company. These are the companies which used to generate revenue for many, including us, through development levies.
“There has also been a reduction in the volume of tourists. Tourist arrivals had gone down and we hope with the new dispensation, things will swing in our favour,” he said.
Mr Deure said they were planning to host an economic development investment forum and embark on an extensive rebranding exercise in order to lure investment.
“Chimanimani is angling for investors in tourism, timber and renewable energy.
“We have the products in their raw state, but we would prefer a situation where value addition is done in Chimanimani so that we also create employment. We also want to look into renewable energy,” he said.
According to Mr Deure, there are eight sites where hydroelectricity could be generated in the district.
“Our aim is to vigorously market them so that investors come. Our dream is also to have some five-star hotels like Victoria Falls, and that can be done through vigorous marketing,” he said.
Online Reporter