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Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
GOVERNMENT will soon embark on the construction of infrastructure, including roads and bridges, bringing an end to the implementation of temporary measures in Cyclone Idai-affected areas, a Cabinet minister has said. Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo, who is also the chairman for the Civil Protection Unit, said Government would start constructing permanent infrastructure as it embarks on a rebuilding exercise.
He said this last Friday in Chimanimani when he met 23 councillors from Chimanimani East and Chimanimani West constituencies and traditional leaders from the district.
The councillors and traditional leaders outlined how the tropical cyclone affected their areas. Most of the local authority leaders highlighted the need for construction of roads, bridges, clinics and provision of food aid as most crops were destroyed by Cyclone Idai coupled with a long dry spell that hit most of the areas at the beginning of the season.
“The purpose of this meeting was to map a way forward towards planning to build permanent infrastructure in the district, including roads and bridges,” said Minister Moyo.
“I heard most of you thanking Government for its timely intervention when this disaster struck, but let me hasten to say those were temporary measures.
“We are saying the period of implementing temporary measures is now over and the Government is seeking to construct permanent infrastructure that include clinics, schools, bridges, roads and all other facilities as we rebuild our areas.
“We also sat down as leaders and said there was no way we could do all this without consulting people who are on the ground. We wanted to hear from you and also we wanted to get your blessings, especially from traditional leaders here present as they are the owners of the land.”
Minister Moyo said they had since identified areas where people would be relocated as the Government was also pursuing other geophysical surveys in some other areas within the district.
He said proper planning in consultation with Chimanimani Rural District Council (CRDC) was already underway.
Minister Moyo said they had since approved a budget for CRDC as its revenue base has been also affected by the cyclone.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs Dr Ellen Gwaradzimba told the local leadership that attended the meeting that the Registrar-General has acquired funding to carry out a registration exercise for people in the district.
Dr Gwaradzimba said the Registrar-General will soon visit the affected areas.
“I had a meeting with the Registrar General and he highlighted that they got funding for the registration exercise, she said. I know there are people who lost their identity particulars and very soon the Registrar would be here.”
Online Reporter