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Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
THE Government has mandated the District Development Fund to drill at least four boreholes in every constituency to ease water shortages that the country has been grappling with since last season.
Minister of State in the President’s Office Dr Joram Gumbo said DDF was ready to drill the boreholes to cushion rural communities that had resorted to unsafe water sources. In an interview in Gweru, Dr Gumbo said water had become a challenge in both urban and rural areas following below average rainfall the country received last season.
“As Government we have resolved to drill boreholes in all constituencies throughout the country. The issue of water has been a challenge in the country. DDF will be responsible for that. I am the Minister in charge of DDF and we are ready to drill all the boreholes at their respective sites.
MPs should liaise with DDF,” he said.
Dr Gumbo said DDF and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have also been mandated to transport food aid and Presidential Inputs to all wards. He said this follows complaints by people that transporters were shunning some areas with poor road networking.
“All Presidential inputs and food are now being transported by ZDF and DDF to all ward centres. Transporters were overcharging people while others were shunning remote areas. So those that have challenges should work with the army and DDF,” he said.
Midlands Provincial Co-ordinator Mr Abiot Maronge had earlier expressed concern over the failure by intended beneficiaries of food aid to receive food. Speaking at the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee PCC Mr Maronge said it was disheartening to learn that most people who are supposed to be receiving food aid are not getting food. He said there was need to ensure transparency in the distribution of food in the province.
“84 000 families are in need of food aid but it is unfortunate that people are not getting the food. In Mberengwa and Gokwe North most transporters are shunning these routes and eventually people in those areas are disadvantaged and in most cases, there are delays in the maize delivery. There have been shortages. At some point Gokwe North went for two months without receiving anything. Areas like Mataga haven’t received anything of late,” he said.
Online Reporter