Chronicle Editor
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected]
THE Government has allocated 33 tractors to Matabeleland North province to date, with more expected to arrive for the provincial roads rehabilitation and tillage programme being implemented by the Rural Infrastructural Development Agency (Rida). The tractors were acquired from Belarus as the two nations continue to strengthen their bilateral relations.
Yesterday, the Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, commissioned eight of the tractors at the Rida offices in Ntabazinduna.
Minister Moyo stated that the tractors represent a significant milestone and are a testament to President Mnangagwa’s vision of transforming Zimbabwe into a prosperous and empowered middle-income society by 2030, in line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) goals. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of state institutions to deliver services and improve the general quality of life, particularly for the marginalised rural population of Zimbabwe.
“This is an ongoing recapitalisation of the institution, in recognition of the enormous responsibility His Excellency has placed on Rida to drive the transformation of rural communities. You may recall that in 2020 and 2021, Rida was given two motorised graders, with one specifically earmarked for Binga as part of His Excellency’s Binga Transformation initiative, and four tractors, bringing the total number of tractors so far to 33,” said Minister Moyo.
He added that the Government is currently assisting Rida in acquiring even more equipment to make it self-sufficient and capable of carrying out all its responsibilities in-house. This will ensure that the organisation achieves more from its allocated budgets, as opposed to outsourcing, which has proved to be too expensive.
“It is heartening to note that Rida’s equipment will be based at Base Camps, such as this one in Ntabazinduna, from where all Rida services will be accessed. This resonates well with the government’s devolution agenda that seeks to, among other things, bring services closer to the people. I am also pleased to note that Rida has made its equipment available to other road authorities to utilise, so that no community is left behind,” said Minister Moyo.
He called upon other road authorities that may not have their own equipment yet to take advantage of Rida’s gesture and make use of the equipment as and when it is made available.
He further encouraged Rida to guard against the abuse of the equipment and warned that the Government would deal ruthlessly with anyone found on the wrong side.
“To the rural communities, this is your equipment, supplied by your own government for your own benefit. Assist Rida to ensure that all this investment is used solely for the purpose for which it was acquired. Abuse of state resources will not be tolerated by the Government,” said Minister Moyo.
After his speech and the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Minister Moyo visited an elderly farmer from Mabuthweni Village, Laiza Ndlovu, to test one of the tractors. He ploughed a single furrow, with Minister Moyo stating that Rida would finish the rest of the field for free, much to her delight.
“I am over the moon to be chosen among villagers here and to also have the minister and our Member of Parliament do this for me. I wish God to grant him more life,” said Ndlovu.
The national tillage programme is targeting 500 000 smallholder farmers, of which 15 600 are in Matabeleland North province. This initiative brings significant relief to farmers at a time when livestock, particularly cattle, are reeling under the effects of the El Niño-induced drought, which would have affected farming activities as they are used as draught power.
Online Reporter