adminBlessings Chidakwa recently in Mhondoro-Ngezi
Mhondoro-Ngezi Rural District Council (RDC) has become one of the first local authorities in Mashonaland West Province to meet its 100-day targets. The completed projects include the construction of a $350 000 Gwezane Bridge, construction of Gweshe Clinic in Ward 16 ($55 000) and the installation of a $92 000 sewer line connecting 71 commercial stands.
The local authority also constructed a 60-metre footbridge near Turf Primary School and began a $13 000 gum treatment plant.
While showcasing the projects to provincial administrator Cecilia Chitiyo, local administrator Fortunate Muzulu and other Government officials on Wednesday last week, Mhondoro-Ngezi chief executive officer Mr Itai Mawonde said the projects were mainly people-driven.
“Out of all the 16 wards, only Ward 14 had no clinic; that is why we prioritised construction of Gweshe Clinic. It will be a huge relief to about 10 000 villagers, who used to walk more than 60 kilometres to the nearest health facilities,” said Mr Mawonde.
“Moving forward, we plan to construct staff quotas, but as of now, we shall liaise with the Ministry of Health and Child Care to assist us with nurses from Kadoma, who can temporarily offer services at the clinic,” he said.
Mr Mawonde said the installation of the sewer reticulation system at Turf Township was vital as people were currently using Blair toilets.
“We have started linking the sewer line to at least 70 business stands at Turf Township, which will also benefit nearby houses. People were using Blair toilets, which posed a health hazard.
“We are charging $200 for connection to the sewer line and some business people have been complaining about the cost, but at the same time, we want to recover incurred costs. To circumvent this, we have introduced payment plans,” he said.
The RDC chairperson Cde Ephraim Chengeta said council mainly relied on internal expertise.
“Our engineers were instrumental in construction of Gwezane Bridge. The bridge connects people and traffic between Mhondoro and Battlefields.
“Several people were perishing at the bridge due to flooding. Schoolchildren can now pass during the rainy season,” he said.
Cde Chengeta also said the 60-metre footbridge was specifically designed to serve pupils at Turf Primary School, particularly during the rainy season.
The local community, he said, supplied labour and materials, including farm bricks in all projects.
Cde Chengeta said out of all the quick-win projects embarked on by the RDC, only one was financed using proceeds from the Mhondoro-Ngezi-Chegutu-Zvimba Community Share Ownership Trust.
Council is also embarking on income-generating projects such as gum treatment, poultry and running a service station.
Online Reporter