Shurugwi Female Prison solar-powered borehole commissioned

A solar-powered borehole has been commissioned at Shurugwi Female Prison in the Midlands province to ease the water supply challenges and enhance agricultural production at the facility.

Government is introducing business units at every water point as part of its comprehensive programme to provide fresh, nutritious food for inmates and offer valuable agricultural skills that aid in the rehabilitation and re-integration of inmates into society on leaving prison.

Handing over the borehole and drip irrigation equipment on Wednesday, Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Owen Ncube, said the intervention underscores the Second Republic’s belief in the capacity of every individual, regardless of their circumstances, to contribute to national development.

“It’s an honour for me to grace the commissioning of the Shurugwi Female Prison solarised borehole, which bears testimony to the listening leadership of the Second Republic and its results-oriented approach to programming,” he said.

Minister Ncube said the borehole project was initiated after he visited the prison in December last year when he handed over part of the proceeds from an Independence Ball fundraising dinner held in Kwekwe.

He said Shurugwi Prison was among institutions that have benefitted from the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme. Minister Ncube said the programme being implemented by the Zimbabwe National Water Authority, (Zinwa)) is meant to mitigate communities’ water supply challenges.

“We appreciate the timely response by President Mnangagwa through the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme, which has made today’s event a reality. This illustrates his genuine concern for the well-being of our inmates and the smooth operations of correctional institutions,” said Minister Ncube.

He said the Shurugwi Prison is now able to undertake agricultural activities as it prepares the inmates for life after prison as it is guaranteed adequate water.

He said in order to ensure people have access to clean water, Government has drilled and solarised boreholes in communities, at schools, hospitals, prisons and other such public institution across the country.

Minister Ncube took the opportunity to thank the First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for also assisting in preparing inmates for life after prison.

“We want as the Midlands Province to applaud Her Excellency, the First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa for extending her philanthropic work to prisons through the Angel of Hope Foundation. Inmates have benefited from her counselling sessions, skills development programmes and hampers for babies of imprisoned mothers,” he said.

Minister Ncube said as ZPCS hosts the family week for inmates, he will be joining them to show support.

“We are ready for the reintegration of inmates as they are a key source of human capital that drives economic development,” he said.

“The rehabilitation programmes include skills training and academic education, psycho-social support, sports and recreation as part of stress management and improvement of physical health.”

He applauded the ZPCS for being a front-runner in reforms and modernisation of the prisons and correctional services, which has attracted regional interest.

“Our prison institutions have become centres of production and productivity, contributing significantly to the country’s food and nutrition security as well as human capital development,” said Minister Ncube.

Meanwhile, Minister Ncube said Government has addressed transport challenges previously faced by ZPCS officers and other Government entities by providing a fleet of service vehicles, buses and trucks.