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Sinokuthaba Dube, Sunday News Reporter
INSIZA South National Assembly member Cde Spare Sithole has raised concern over the continued lack of budgetary recognition for Silalatshani Irrigation Scheme in his constituency which he said was crucial for community food self-sufficiency.
Cde Sithole said they did not receive any budget allocation for 2020 while some of the schemes were included.
Silalatshani Irrigation Scheme which covers 460 hectares in Filabusi, Matabeleland South has over the years been productive bringing relief to villagers around the district.
Cde Sithole appealed to Finance Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube to look into the matter since it was one of the biggest schemes in Matabeleland South.
“I have got only one appeal to the minister,” said Cde Sithole during a question and answer session with Prof Ncube in Parliament recently.
“I have noticed that every irrigation scheme, in some other parts of the country or districts is getting a budget allocation, but Silalatshani Irrigation Scheme in Insiza South in Insiza District, Matabeleland South, was not allocated anything in the budget,” he said.
Minister Ncube promised to do a follow up on the matter, saying he was not aware of the dam not having been considered in the budget.
“Certainly, I will take a look and he (Sithole) is right, it is a very important irrigation scheme in that region. A total of 460 hectares is a lot of hectares to cover the region and we will take a look at that as a ministry and see whether we can allocate resources,” said Prof Ncube.
Cde Sithole also challenged Minister Ncube to increase the budget allocation for boreholes under the District Development Fund (DDF).
“I must thank our Chinese friends for helping us with the drilling programme. They have been drilling boreholes in the district and the province as a whole.
The boreholes are going to ease pressure on our people who now wake up as early as 3am to queue for water. They queue for three to four hours and that is not easy,” said Cde Sithole.
Online Reporter