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Tendai Mugabe Senior Reporter
The Tongogara Community Share Ownership Trust launched by President Mugabe in Shurugwi in 2011 is paying off impressive dividends that have transformed lives of the people.
Numerous projects exceeding US$2 million that were initiated by the Trust are at different stages of implementation.
This adds up to other completed projects that were undertaken by the Trust last year.
In an interview last Friday, Chief Banga, Mr Lameck Toendepi Banga, hailed President Mugabe’s visionary leadership that had resulted in people directly benefiting from their natural resources.
“We are happy as a community that people are directly enjoying benefits of their resources,” he said.
“We pay tribute to President Mugabe’s visionary leadership that we are now seeing notable development in our area.”
Chief Banga said the projects that were being undertaken by the Trust were helping people in many ways.
Among the projects that have transformed the face of Shurugwi was the construction of Masasa Primary School which had an enrolment of 408 pupils including Early Childhood Education.
Before the construction of the school, pupils were learning in a shop popularly known in the area as the Blue Shop.
The school was opened this term although it is still to be officially handed over to the community by the National Indigenisation Economic Empowerment Board.
Another big project which is underway is the refurbishment of two roads from Chachacha to Kama and another one from Chachacha to Tongogara.
The two projects, which are being undertaken by J. R. Goddard Contracting and Fruitstone Investments, gobbled more than US$1,5 million while a significant amount was paid to Conduit Investments, which was awarded the tender to do sewer and water reticulation at Chachacha Business Centre.
The Trust, in conjunction with the District Development Fund, is also refurbishing 170 boreholes while plans are afoot to drill another 160 boreholes in the area.
Drip irrigation was also set up by Toronto Irrigation (Private) Limited at the chiefs’ homesteads to boost the Zunde Ramambo scheme.
Trust administrator Mr Maxwell Dave said the Tongogara Community Share Ownership Trust had contributed immensely towards improving the livelihoods of people in Shurugwi.
“The roads which are being refurbished by the Trust would entail greater accessibility and an increase in public transport,” he said.
“Water is also a challenge here especially during this period of the year and the boreholes will also assist people in a big way.”
Some of the projects that were already completed included the construction of a mortuary and a maternity ward at Zvamabhande Clinic and Chirume Dam Wall that was washed away 20 years ago.
Chirume Dam supplied water to more than 200 households and there are plans to develop irrigation schemes in the area.
Community Share Ownership Trusts were established under Section 14B of the Economic Empowerment (General) Regulations of 2010 which provide that local communities whose natural resources are being exploited by any ‘‘qualifying business’’ must be guaranteed shareholding in such business.
President Mugabe has so far launched 59 Community Share Ownership Trusts countrywide.
The schemes are part of the indigenisation and economic empowerment programme which has ensured that locals benefit from natural resources and businesses that were previously monopolised by foreigners.
Online Reporter