adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing has appointed three commissioners to the Lupane Local Board to oversee development projects at the Matabeleland North provincial capital.The trio, Monica Ngwenya, Clarence Ndlela and Edwin Mpofu were sworn in on Wednesday at a ceremony attended by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Cde Cain Mathema.
The appointment of the three commissioners follows the dissolution of the local board structures in June last year.
In his address, Cde Mathema said the commissioners’ task was to oversee the development of Lupane into a modern city and to spearhead outstanding government projects.
“We have many projects in Lupane which include the construction of Lupane State University, the government complex, Bubi-Lupane Dam and others. The commissioners have a task of overseeing these projects and helping turn the town into a morden city,” said Cde Mathema.
“The town needs to develop and have a reliable modern water supply system as well as a modern sewage system.”
Cde Mathema said the commissioners would help Lupane to develop a vibrant gas industry which would augment energy generation in the country.
He urged the local board to set up profit making businesses and generate its own revenue as well as creating employment using its natural resources such as timber.
“We also want to see the construction of a proper hotel in Lupane and I want to encourage the government officials to work with the commissioners in coming up with projects that are in line with the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset),” said Cde Mathema.
Lupane district administrator Christopher Chuma said the appointment of the new commissioners was important in bringing development to Lupane and improving the livelihoods of the people in the town.
He said Lupane was facing many challenges with lack of funding hampering completion of most development projects.
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