Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
HURUNGWE councillors say the provision of 34 motorbikes by an investor is changing the way they reach communities, monitor projects and respond to residents’ concerns across the sprawling rural district in time.
For Ward 13 councillor, Cde John Mbavara, improved mobility means he can now spend more time in his ward instead of being constrained by transport challenges.
“Poor mobility had previously made it difficult for councillors to regularly visit their wards. With these bikes, we are now able to monitor projects and respond to issues affecting our wards in line with the call to action by President Mnangagwa,” he said.
Ward 11 councillor Cde Doesmatter Makumbirofa, said the support demonstrated that the investor was delivering on its promises, while council was also committed to complementing such interventions.
Proportional representation councillor, Cde Joylene Munduna, said the development was also a reflection of Government’s policy of opening the country to investment while ensuring communities benefit from economic activities taking place in their areas.
“President Mnangagwa has opened Zimbabwe up to business, which has made our district benefit and because of this, we have an investor who is working closely with the council to bring development. This should also be emulated by all investors in the district.”
Traditional leaders, Chief Nematombo and Chief Chanetsa, said partnerships between Government, local authorities, investors and communities were critical to achieving Vision 2030.
The councillors’ views come against the backdrop of growing corporate social responsibility initiatives linked to the establishment of WhiZim Investment’s planned US$1 billion cement plant at Magunje.
WhiZim representative Mr Thomas Chidzomba said the company had several projects lined up as part of its commitment to communities in its area of operation.
“As a company, we have set several CSR projects to give back to the community, and these bikes were part of these. On top of that, we are going to work on the road that connects Magunje to Chidamoyo, among other projects,” he said.
The cement project is expected to create at least 1 200 jobs, with most of the beneficiaries expected to be youths from Magunje and surrounding communities.
Hurungwe Rural District Council acting chief executive officer, Mr Remigio Makuwerere, said the interventions were strengthening the local authority’s capacity to meet Government’s Minimum Service Delivery Standards.
He said improved mobility, project monitoring and other infrastructure interventions would enhance the council’s ability to respond to community needs.
The importance of the partnership was underscored by Local Government and Public Works Deputy Minister Eng Benjamin Kabikira, who said the motorbikes were more than a means of transport.
“The motorbikes will contribute towards transformative and inclusive development in the wards. They will enable councillors to move closer to the people and to monitor development activities more effectively. No one and no place should be left behind when development is taking place in our wards,” he said.
Eng Kabikira said residents expected their local authorities to provide water, functional roads, clean and safe communities, responsive public services and effective emergency response.
He said the motorbikes would therefore strengthen service delivery, community engagement, monitoring and accountability.
The motorbikes were handed over alongside a new fire tender procured under the Devolution programme during a commissioning ceremony at Magunje on Wednesday, with the Second Republic highlighting the potential of public-private partnerships to complement Government resources in closing infrastructure and service delivery gaps.
