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HONOURABLE Innocent Benza isn’t a new figure when it comes to the development of his beloved Mutasa Central community.
Working in collaboration with his brother Gerald, the duo has been working to develop the marginalised Mutasa Central community for years and, in 2016, they set up sawmills that have created employment for 300 youths.
The sawmills were commissioned in September 2016 and came as a welcome development to the youths, most of whom had been idle for years after finishing school
Their spokesperson, Mr Kudakwashe Remba, said back then that their quest was always to turnaround the economic fortunes of the marginalised Mutasa community.
We have been working silently behind the scenes and results are there for everyone to see.
“The Benza twins have the Mutasa community at heart, a reason they have remained visible in the constituency.
“Despite having sawmills, we have also secured land to establish a timber plantation in the district.
“We have noticed that many players in the timber industry are not investing in the future by having plantations and we thought of having a timber plantation for use by future generations.
“Our vision is to create employment for future generations because we should always look beyond the horizon,” said Mr Remba.
He said they have always been aiming at turning Mutasa Central into a greenbelt by harnessing water from Osborne Dam, Pungwe water pipeline and perennial rivers for irrigation development.
“Not all areas in Mutasa receive good rains and we have approached relevant authorities like Zimbabwe National Water Authority and other stakeholders to develop irrigation schemes in the area.
“Irrigation development is the way to go to ensure food security, both at household and national level.
“We cannot continue mourning the effects of climate change on the weather and rainfall patterns without offering solutions.
“The solution is through water harnessing from available water bodies in the constituency.
“The land is blessed with good soils, but yields are usually poor because villagers rely on rain-fed agriculture.
“We all have a role to play in the implementation of Zim-Asset, especially the food and nutrition cluster,” he said.
The Benza brothers have also been availing capital to youths to embark on poultry and piggery projects.
They have been assisting qualified students from the constituency to secure teacher training places at colleges in Mutare.
“We have different talents and our duty is to ensure that people realise their dreams in life.
“In Ward 16, the Benza brothers managed to assist a bright albino child by paying school fees. The child scored four points during last year’s Grade Seven examinations.”
In ensuring that youths stay away from substance abuse, the Benza brothers have also been bankrolling soccer tournaments at every ward in Mutasa Central.
Online Reporter