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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
MAKONDE legislator and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister, Kindness Paradza, is helping the community to construct healthcare facilities in the area.
Using money from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), Cde Paradza engaged the Makonde community to address shortage of clinics in the area.
This development is expected to shorten the distance travelled by people to access critical primary health care services.
At least three health facilities are under construction in Wards 14 and 19.
Cde Paradza said the construction of the facilities was almost complete, with other institutions now ready to offer services.
“We have also given priority to the health sector using CDF with the construction of Chipfuwamiti Clinic in Ward 14 and Chijaka in Ward 19 currently underway,” he said.
“My office is working hand-in-glove with the community.
“While funding is coming from the CDF and my personal coffers, the community is also playing pivotal roles that include moulding of bricks, fetching water, gravel and sand.”
The community is also offering catering services to the builders working on the projects.
Another success story of the community has seen the completion of Chowe Clinic which now awaits seconding of nurses from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
Villagers pledged to work for their community development in line with President Mnangagwa’s mantra of ‘Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo’.
“We will continue to put our hands on the deck and support developmental initiatives and projects brought by our legislator and council,” said Ms Nosta Makalomo.
“Development is for us and it is important for us to play our part and this includes supporting the construction of the schools, clinics and bridges.”
Another villager, Ms Christina Chijora, applauded the local legislator for dedicating CDF towards the most critical area that needed to be looked at.
“The construction of the clinics and mothers’ waiting shelter facilities is one thing that we longed for,” she said.
“This is going to reduce maternal related deaths and address other diseases that are prone to the area like malaria.”
The clinics are going to be life-savers to most expecting women who travelled long distances and parted with a lot of money to access health care services at St Ruperts Hospital and Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital.
The CDF funds have also changed the face of Mowa and Piriviri primary schools and Chowe Secondary School.
Cde Paradza dedicated a share from the fund to ensure that classroom blocks at these learning facilities were upgraded.
“We have over 80 schools in the constituency and some like Obva and Hombwe that were built during the liberation war period are in a dilapidated state and require refurbishment,” he said.
The development also dovetails with the completion of Chidobera Primary School in Ward 8 which was constructed by Makonde Rural District Council using devolution funds.
The school opened its doors to hundreds of pupils last Tuesday ending a nightmare of walking long distances that most pupils in the area endured.
It is established in a previous game ranching area that was subdivided for resettlement to thousands of people during the land reform programme in 2000.
Construction works of the two learning blocks commenced in 2021 with that of staff quarters and Early Childhood Development (ECD) having been done last year.
Ward 8 Councillor, Mr Paul Kisimusi, said the nearest school was at least 10 kilometres away, forcing many to delay acquiring early child development and basic education.
Makonde district schools’ inspector, Mr Solomon Katoma, said the newly constructed school addressed challenges of schools’ shortages in the district.
Makonde Rural District Council chief executive officer, Mr Paradzayi Munyede, assured the community of the local authority’s efforts to improve learning facilities.
Online Reporter