adminThe story is however completely different now especially in areas where the community share schemes have been launched.
The CSOS/Ts have been launched in Mhondoro/Ngezi, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Gwanda and Marange.
According to Midlands provincial Governor, Cde Jason Machaya, the Tongogara CSOS/T has implemented a number of projects that include the construction of a dam, a mortuary, classrooms, teachers’ houses and drilled boreholes.
The trust is already inviting tenders for the supply of a drilling rig and a motorised grader for road construction.
In Zvishavane the trust has undertaken more than 15 projects that include the drilling of boreholes at chief’s homesteads, construction of classroom blocks, clinics and teachers’ houses as well as sprucing up buildings at a number of schools.
In Gwanda the trust is inviting tenders to complete construction work at a number of clinics as well as rehabilitation of irrigation schemes.
Many of these projects that the trusts are undertaking have been on the drawing boards for years because either central Government or the rural district councils had no money to fund the implementation of the projects.
It has been a very short period of time since the launching of these schemes by the President, Cde Mugabe but already there is remarkable progress on the ground.
What many are saying now is that Government should have in fact introduced these schemes soon after independence and by now the country could have witnessed phenomenal growth.
There is accelerated development in the communities where these schemes have been introduced and those areas where the schemes are yet to be introduced are already lagging behind.
The Midlands Governor, Cde Machaya seems to be closely monitoring the implementation of projects funded by the schemes in his area of jurisdiction and we want to believe other governors are doing the same in their areas.
The schemes are being run by communities on behalf of the communities and it is very important to ensure there is transparency in all the transactions involving public funds.
Cde Machaya recently expressed disappointment at the pace at which projects in Zvishavane were being implemented and the committee running the schemes was recently accused of paying members sitting allowances in advance.
We have said it before that these schemes should be entrusted to men and women of high integrity whose conduct is beyond reproach.
The Government on its part should put in place mechanisms that quickly detect abuse of the funds.
Those that dare steal the public money should be punished severely. We want a situation whereby these schemes are passed from generation to generation.
Companies will continue to exploit our natural resources and in the process continue to feed the coffers of these schemes.
We have already stated that those areas where the schemes are yet to be established are already prejudiced and there is therefore need for Government to move with speed and ensure all corners of the country start benefiting directly from the exploitation of our natural resources.
Under the scheme meant to economically empower communities, companies exploiting natural resources in a given area cede 10 percent shares to the communities.
The communities then use proceeds from their shares to fund development projects.
We want to once again implore Government to ensure no area is marginalised by being left out of these schemes.
Online Reporter