Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza in Binga
THE launch of the Presidential Borehole and Housing Scheme in Binga District yesterday has been hailed by local communities as a solid confirmation of the Second Republic’s commitment to improving rural livelihoods and delivering on President Mnangagwa’s promises.
When the President visited Binga in 2022 he poured his heart out for the community once regarded as marginalised, and pledged to drive transformative projects to ensure the district becomes part of his administration’s inclusive development agenda.
Since then, Binga has continued to be the centre of attention as Government, despite limited fiscal space, maintains the roll out of development projects that cut across infrastructure, farming, transport, education, entrepreneurship, housing and basic service delivery, among others.
Ndaliyoka Village in Ward 18, Tinde area, has become the latest beneficiary of the Government’s borehole drilling programme, which comes with numerous agriculture opportunities.
Mr Thomas Sianchali, one of the hundreds of locals who witnessed the launch expressed his joy over Government’s intervention on water.
“Our area is very dry and these boreholes guarantee us water for domestic use and for our cattle even during worst droughts like the one we experienced last year,” said Mr Sianchali.
He said communities could not afford to drill boreholes to tap into the vast amounts of underground water and people were therefore commending Government for coming to their rescue.
An ecstatic pre-school teacher, Mrs Elina Saba, said she will now fetch clean water from the solar-powered borehole with two 10 000 litre water tanks which is less than 20 metres from the school.
“I am happy we now have a borehole near our school and my plea to authorities is that the drilling scheme should spread to all wards in Binga because people are facing serious water challenges,” said Mrs Saba.
The drilling of boreholes is being rolled out in Binga District and the rest of Matabeleland North Province under the Presidential Borehole Scheme.
The borehole and housing scheme is an ambitious national project under the Presidential War Veterans Fund meant to improve the livelihoods of war veterans and their communities.
The programme has already been launched in Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland East, Manicaland, Mashonaland West, Harare, Matabeleland North and South provinces.
Addressing war veterans, widows and scores of locals, Presidential Advisor Dr Paul Tungwarara said Binga was at President Mnangagwa’s heart hence a hands-on approach has been adopted to ensure the scheme succeeds.
“When I met President Mnangagwa recently, he told me how much he loves Binga District and he stressed how important it is for the Presidential Borehole Scheme and other projects to succeed,” he said.
“I will be personally coming to Binga to make sure the borehole and housing scheme is a resounding success as instructed by President Mnangagwa,” said Dr Tungwarara.
“The Presidential Borehole Scheme is spreading to all provinces in the country something that we are proud of as we forge ahead with projects to improve the lives of war veterans”
Dr Tungwarara said war veterans in Binga District will also benefit from a US$40 000 revolving fund to start income generating projects.
Beneficiaries of the revolving fund are expected to pay back the money without interest, in order for the funds to be disbursed to other war veterans.
“The funds will boost enterprises in Binga such as fishing cooperatives, tourism and programmes promoting our rich Tonga culture and heritage,” he said.
Dr Tungwarara said the goal is to grow the fund through disciplined repayment to ensure every war veteran benefits.
As part of the programme, 500 bicycles will be distributed to war veterans in each of the country’s 10 provinces and in Binga the bicycles will be delivered on Monday.
Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, hailed President Mnangagwa for improving the lives of war veterans.
“The presence of Dr Tungwarara, who is a Special Advisor to the President here in Binga is testament that indeed President Mnangagwa is a listening father. I urge war veterans to take advantage of the revolving fund to boost their income generating projects. We had a challenge in Bubi and Nkayi districts where the loans uptake under the revolving fund was very low,” he said.
Secretary of War Veterans in the Politburo, Cde Douglas Mahiya, called on war veterans to shun division and unite.
ends
Online Reporter