Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, Victoria Falls Reporter
THE Government has completed the construction of 37 houses for families displaced by devastating floods in Binga District, Matabeleland North Province. The newly built settlement in Nsungwaale is now ready for commissioning.
The houses form part of a major recovery and resettlement initiative launched by the Civil Protection Unit (CPU) following the destruction of several households by flash floods. The project, which also includes the establishment of a new primary school, aims to restore dignity and stability to the affected communities.
Confirming the completion of the project, CPU Director Mr Nathan Nkomo said recovery efforts in Binga had now reached their final stage.
“We have completed the 37 houses we were building in Binga, in an area called Nsungwaale. As part of the new settlement, we also built a school — Nsungwaale Primary School — given that people were previously walking long distances,” said Mr Nkomo.
He noted that while a major milestone had been achieved, further support was still needed to improve educational infrastructure in the area.
“They are still walking long distances because there is no secondary school. These are areas where other development partners and ministries might want to assist. But the recovery project in Binga is now complete and awaiting the commissioning of the houses,” he said.
The 37 completed houses correspond to the total number of displaced households, taking into account the unique social structures in the district.
“The 37 refers to the number of households. Even in polygamous families, each wife is considered a separate household, so they are all accommodated within the 37,” he explained.
Mr Nkomo also acknowledged the involvement of the highest levels of Government, noting that preparations for the official commissioning were now at an advanced stage.
“The highest office in the country — the President and Cabinet—has indicated readiness to commission the houses. We have already addressed minor issues in some of the houses. You know, when a project is completed, you attend to small defects — that’s the snagging process we’ve undertaken. Our in-house teams from Matabeleland North and the Binga Public Works Directorate are handling those,” he said.
The development marks a significant achievement in disaster response and community resilience, aligning with President Mnangagwa’s vision to leave no one and no place behind in the national development agenda.
The Nsungwaale Housing Project is expected to serve as a model for similar resettlement initiatives across Zimbabwe, combining housing with essential services such as education, while addressing the complex realities of rural life.
The official commissioning date by President Mnangagwa is expected to be announced in due course. — @nyeve14
