Chronicle Editor
Gibson Mhaka, Feature
GOKWE North District in the Midlands province has a long and tragic history of being described by many as backward and out of touch with latest developments.
The district, despite having vast mineral deposits, tourist attractions and thousands of locals involved in cotton farming, has been struggling to develop and as a result has been difficult to access due to impassable roads and unavailability of key infrastructure.
A recent visit to the district, however, revealed that it was now benefiting from development programmes being implemented by the Second Republic in line with its thrust that leaves no one and no place behind in national development.
There were a number of projects being implemented by Gokwe North Rural District Council using devolution funds with the projects at different stages of completion.
Devolution funds are completely changing the face of Gokwe North which has always been lagging behind in terms of development.
Construction and rehabilitation of schools, roads, bridges, clinics, and other social amenities are underway across all the 36 wards under Gokwe North.
For instance, in Gokwe-Kabuyuni constituency, the rehabilitation of Savara Dam in Siyamuchimbo Ward 31 is underway with roads in Kabuyuni, Simchembu and the one linking Kopa Business Centre with Burure Mission which was impassable during the rainy season also being rehabilitated.
The district also benefited from the construction of Gunguhwe Bridge which links Gokwe North with Gokwe South, Mashonaland West and Matabeleland North. The bridge was swept away in 2008 and its rehabilitation began when the Second Republic came into power.
Nembudziya Growth Point, a major centre in the area is also developing with the construction of a state-of-the-art government complex and hospital among other key infrastructure.
The ongoing rehabilitations are a testimony that the Second Republic under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa has committed a lot of resources to changing the face of Gokwe North in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), and the desire to ensure no area is left behind.
Gokwe North Assistant District Development Coordinator, Mr Stewart Gwatirinda commended the Government for releasing the devolution funds which he said have been empowering the ordinary people through the provision of education, water and sanitation.
“We want to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for the tremendous work that it is doing in terms of development. We have received quite a good figure in devolution funds and we have concentrated much of our efforts in two of the 14 priorities enshrined in the NDS1 and these are basically education as well as the provision of water and sanitation. We have also acquired a motorized grader and backhoe loader that have been used to undertake road rehabilitation,” said Mr Gwatirinda.
Schools constructed in the district include Nyamazengwe, Mutora, Nenyuka and Gumunyu primary schools. Nenyunka Primary School was constructed as one of the standard schools in the country. “We also thank the Government for the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) which has seen most of our roads being rehabilitated. We continue to appreciate the efforts by the Government and we continue to say those that were given tenders by the Government should be diligent. In terms of improving access to water, we want to procure a rig that will drill a borehole in each village,” said Mr Gwatirinda.
He said they were very grateful to the support they were getting from the Government.
“We continue to call upon the Government to disburse these funds in full. If we get these funds in full, we can do tremendous jobs and make sure that the development trajectory that is expected of Zimbabwe to reach Vision 2030 will be achieved,” he said.
Under devolution, local authorities are supposed to invest in transforming the lives of communities with the Second Republic allowing people to decide the type of developmental projects they need for their communities.
Cde Spencer Tshuma who was recently elected Gokwe-Kabuyini constituency Member of Parliament hailed President Mnangagwa for the policy on devolution which is one of the major anchors that encompasses inclusive development in the country.
“Gokwe North was one of the districts lagging behind in terms of development but with the coming of the Second Republic, we are seeing massive development in the district. The district will never be the same again. Boreholes are being drilled, roads are being rehabilitated and dams constructed. By 2030, there will be a borehole in every village.
“We have water challenges in Gokwe North, and where we would have drilled boreholes, there is also a problem of the type of water which is salty and hot. So we’re working with other private players to construct dams as a way of overcoming this challenge.
“Very soon, people will not be looking down on the district as they do,” said Cde Tshuma.
He said the developments were in line with the Second Republic’s thrust to improve quality inclusive and equitable development to ensure that no one and no place is left behind.
In the transformation of rural communities, where the majority of people live, President Mnangagwa is always on record saying Zimbabweans should rule themselves with the conviction that a country can only be developed by its people (Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabaninilo).
Senior Zanu-PF provincial member for Gokwe-Kabuyuni constituency Cde Lovemore Muzvondiwa Mandima also applauded the Second Republic for spearheading development in the district.
“We are seeing many projects being rolled out in the district. School blocks and teachers’ cottages being constructed. We want to thank His Excellency. We are seeing roads being rehabilitated and boreholes being drilled. The developments are bringing people together and even those who were supporting the opposition are now defecting to Zanu-PF after realising that the party under the leadership of President Mnangagwa is responding to the needs of the people,” said Cde Mandima.
Ward 2 Councillor in Nenyunga B, Gokwe-Kabuyini constituency, Cde Susan Chavani also expressed gratitude to the Second Republic saying the developments being implemented came at the right time as they are fitting well with the Government’s resolve to leave no-one and no place behind in its developmental trajectory.
“Gokwe North used to be marginalised but today there is a lot of improvement. Many bus and transport operators had been shunning some of our roads because they were in a bad state. Right now all major and feeder roads are being fixed for them to be accessible during the rainy season and the progress so far is pleasing.
“I am happy with the developments being implemented in the district, courtesy of the Second Republic. This is something that is exciting and uplifting rural communities because no one in all places should be left behind as we build our nation,” said Cde Chavani.
Mr Maximore Kufazvineyi of Chitekete Business Centre also thanked the Government for availing funds for the various projects in the district aimed at improving their livelihoods.
“We are happy with the pace at which the rehabilitation of the roads, schools and bridges is moving. Rehabilitation of roads is very important to us as we have been failing to access essential services such as clinics and schools during the rainy season,” said Mr Kufazvineyi.
President Mnangagwa’s Government is deliberately focusing on developing infrastructure as part of efforts to achieve Vision 2030 of an empowered upper middle income society.
Online Reporter