Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa
Mashonaland East Bureau
A WAVE of economic transformation is set to sweep through ward 14, Murehwa District after the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) connected Jokopo Business Centre to electricity.
About nine shops at the business centre have access to reliable energy, paving the way for various income-generating projects, which will ultimately enhance transformation in people’s livelihoods.
The commissioning of this project was officiated by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itai Ndudzo on Tuesday.
Advocate Ndudzo was accompanied by officials from his office as well as those from the Rural Electrification Agency.
He commended the Second Republic for the projects that impact positively on people’s livelihoods.
“As I always say, we are a Government of the people, by the people and for the people. Everything that is being done by the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa is intended to transform Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income economy,” he said.
“Here we are at Jakopo Business Centre in ward 14 of Murehwa district. It is a rural place, but in line with the Government’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind, we are commissioning this REA project that is supplying electricity to all the businesses around here.
“The intention is that we must have energy to all citizens as we journey towards achieving an upper middle-income economy by 2030.”
For the people of Jakopo, provision of electricity does not only mean lighted streets and selling cold drinks, but considers electricity as a key driver to economic growth and their empowerment.
“It is now easy for the people here to start income-generating projects and earn a good living, which is a key element as we march towards the attainment of an upper middle income society by 2030,” said Mr Blessing Nehanda, a businessman at centre.
“We have a lot of talented people in this area, some have skills in welding, but they have been idle because there was no power. They ended up travelling to areas like Murehwa Centre to do business and show case their talents there. But now that is over, people will now do business here.
“It is now easy also for business people at this place, as they will be able to sell perishables like meat and fish, since we will be able to store them under favourable conditions.
“I want to thank the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa for a job well done. Besides people enjoying quality services because of ease of access to power, the provision of electricity is considered to be one of the key enablers of rural industrialisation.
