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Ivan Zhakata Herald Correspondent
Palestine has drilled over 10 boreholes, including in Epworth, and handed them over to the Government as part of its efforts to improve availability of clean water.
The boreholes are complementing the Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme, which is providing clean water across the country.
Three boreholes were drilled in Epworth South, three in Epworth North, one in Churu Farm, one in Southlea Park and two in Chegutu.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Epworth yesterday, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri, said the borehole drilling initiative was aimed at helping and supporting people in rural areas.
“We did this project in cooperation the with Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development and in all our projects we coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade,” he said.
“It is just a small sign for our solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe because we are sure that if Zimbabwe has no sanctions, the quality of the people will be better than what we have nowadays.
“In Palestine, we have the same circumstances, under the Israeli apartheid occupation, and the quality of life is not good in some areas.
“We are trying to improve the life of the people because we consider us as a part of the struggle and the history of Zimbabwe. Our friendship is the most precious thing that we have achieved in Africa.”
Dr Almassri said they maintain the friendship and will support and protect “our comradeship as brothers and sisters”.
In a speech read on his behalf, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Davis Marapira, said they were in a drive to achieving universal access to safe and clean water for all.
“As Government, we feel greatly honoured to be receiving these boreholes drilled by the Palestinians, which have in the interim, eased challenges of accessing potable water to the people of Epworth South,” he said.
“In Zimbabwe, water is a constitutional right and a key enabler to economic growth and development.”
Deputy Minister Marapira said President Mnangagwa has eloquently stated his vision for the country to become a prosperous and empowered upper-middle-income society by 2030.
“As part of the accomplishment of this vision, the National Development Strategy (NDS1) was crafted. Water supply services are critical for the realisation of this vision and four of the 14 thematic areas of the NDS1, that is, food and nutrition security, health and well-being, infrastructure and utilities and housing delivery are anchored on the water supply services.”
Zanu PF National Assembly candidate for Epworth South Cde Honour Taedzwa said they were happy with the handover of boreholes in Epworth.
“The boreholes, which we have received from Palestine, will go a long way in the provision of clean and safe water in Epworth,” he said. “We are happy that the relationship between Zimbabwe and Palestine is deepening because water is life.”
Cde Chamunorwa Takundwa, Zanu PF local authority candidate for Epworth’s Ward 5 said the donation will strengthen the relationship between Zimbabwe and Palestine.
“Since some of us live in a haphazard way, our water was not that clean because we have shallow wells,” he said. “Now we have safe and clean water and this will protect us from disease outbreaks like diarrhoea and typhoid, among others.”
Online Reporter