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Tendai Gukutikwa
Post Reporter
THE construction of the Machongwe-Rusitu Road in Chimanimani is now 72 percent complete and is expected to be concluded in the next few months.
Speaking recently in Chimanimani on behalf of the Minister of Local Governance, Public Works and National Housing, Honourable July Moyo, his deputy minister, Hon Marian Chombo said infrastructure development is on top of the Second Republic’s priorities as it is in line with Vision 2030.
“Government is working really hard to develop Chimanimani’s roads. Most of the roads that were damaged by Cyclone Idai in 2019 having already been reconstructed.
“The Machongwe-Rusitu Road is now at 72 percent completion. The construction of that road created 205 jobs for community members,” he said.
Minister Moyo said through the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, Government also constructed the Muuyu Weburi-Muroti Road.
“This has helped empower our people by connecting them to the rest of the world while also creating jobs for them.
“Government also constructed the Kopa-Jopa Road which was officially commissioned by His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa. This road has eased horticultural farmers’ day to day business in Chimanimani as they were having trouble with transport due to bad roads,” he said.
He said roads provide access to employment, social, health and education, adding that a good road network is crucial in the fight against poverty as envisaged under National Development Strategy (NDS1).
“For those reasons, road infrastructure is one of the most important public assets,” he said.
He also applauded Government for developing four blocks at Nyanyadzi Irrigation Scheme, adding that this will spur farming in Chimanimani District.
“The development, which is worth US$700 000, includes construction of canals, installation of solar systems and fencing. The development was done courtesy of funding from the Africa Development Bank.
“Government is currently in the process of upgrading the Mhakwe Irrigation Scheme through the Green Climate Fund which is a collaboration between Government and UNDP,” he said.
Addressing the same gathering, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, who is also Member of Parliament for Chimanimani West, Minister Nokhuthula Matsikenyere said the Second Republic should be applauded for having the people at heart and spearheading development across the province and beyond.
“The people of Chimanimani have suffered a lot from the devastating effects of Cyclone Idai, which hit the region in 2019 and caused massive flooding, landslides and damaged infrastructure, roads included.
“Government has been working hard to rebuild the district and improve the living conditions of the people. One of the major projects that has been undertaken is the construction of new roads to connect the district to other parts of the country and the world. ”
“The roads have enabled the people to access essential services such as health and education, as well as to transport their agricultural products to markets more easily and efficiently.
“We are very grateful to Government for this initiative and for all the other development efforts that are being implemented in our district. We are hopeful that the ongoing road projects will be completed soon and that they will bring positive changes to our lives. We are looking forward to a brighter future for ourselves and our children,” she said.
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