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Herald Reporter
Murehwa West Constituency in Mashonaland East Province is a vast and richly endowed region, which is home to a large community of Land Reform Programme beneficiaries.
Its proximity to the capital city Harare coupled with a good climate has seen booming horticulture.
The district’s fertile soils and excellent climate are favourable to intensive agriculture and crops such as maize, vegetables and tomatoes among others.
Underground, there are huge deposits of gold and other minerals, making mineral extraction a lucrative activity.
Despite the abundance of these rich endowments, Murehwa has for years suffered stunted growth owing to lack of investment in infrastructure.
Indigenous farmers who were resettled here found themselves living in an area without basic amenities like roads, water, health and education facilities.
For years, they lived without these crucial facilities, but this situation is changing now.
The devolution programme, which commenced with the dawn of the Second Republic, is proving a blessing for this previously overlooked district.
Also with the Member of Parliament for the constituency Cde Farai Jere chipping in to make sure the masses are empowered.
Teachers and pupils at Rota Primary and Secondary Schools are drawing water from solar-powered boreholes, while two teacher’s houses have been built, each accommodating two families.
Two boreholes drilled at Rota Primary School are now providing piped water.
Murehwa West has been involved in various projects after the injection of devolution funds.
Other notable development in the constituency includes, Chigumurirwa clinic in ward 13 that was started in 2022 and now at window level, with completion expected later this year.
When completed, the clinic is expected to service wards 13, 12 and 28 and part of Goromonzi area.
There is also the grading of the road from Kadzere to Macheke.
At Musami business centre the MP drilled a borehole, and also facilitated for the drilling of two boreholes in Ward 28.
The legislator also funded the construction of Mutoko Road humps from Gosha school to Chemhondoro turn off.
There is a foot bridge serving villagers from Kambanje, Marimo, Chiruva school children who attend Zhakata primary. Also village heads from Chizanga, Gororo, Chiruva, Makate, Matamba, Nhira are now able to attend meetings.
Treasury has, since the coming in of the New Dispensation, fulfilled this constitutional obligation by providing devolution funds to all 92 local authorities.
The Government has encouraged local authorities to direct the bulk of this funding towards improving health, transport, water and sanitation, public amenities, education and electricity in their areas.
Murehwa West has excelled in utilising these funds.
Councillor Tafirenyika Madziva said the devolution funds they received so far had been channelled towards the construction of a school, a clinic and rehabilitation of a road in his ward.
“The devolution funds have come at the right time for the people of Murehwa West, and helped in constructing two teachers houses, a foot bridge, while two boreholes at Rota Primary and Secondary Schools are providing piped water.
“The construction of teachers houses is also in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Vision 2030 of giving non-monetary benefits to teachers in rural areas,” said Councillor Madziva.
He said their ward experienced water challenges as people struggled to get the precious commodity, and had to walk long distance to available sources.
However, the ward has since received two boreholes under the Presidential borehole scheme.
Online Reporter