The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Monday, November 25, 1991 — Communities should participate actively in the development of their districts. The call was made by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa when he officially opened the Zhombe East bridge across Zhombe River.

He said it was important for the community to support and participate in development projects. He told about 300 Zhombe residents who gathered to witness the opening of the bridge that their efforts would pay off.

The $356 000 bridge was a joint venture by the Mashambazhou District Council and community, which contributed $65 000 and Plan International, a donor agency which gave $291 000. The minister commended the cooperation saying it enhanced the development process.

“This way, development takes place at a faster pace and Government’s rural development objectives are achieved,” Cde Mnanngagwa said.

He said he was pleased to note that the Mashambazhou community had not waited for the Government to come to its aid because the Government had limited resources, especially now during the structural adjustment programme.

“You were not inhibited by the thought that infrastructural development should be left to Government. This kind of development can be taken up with assistance from donors and the district development fund,” he said.

Cde Mnangagwa urged other non-government organisations to follow the example set by Plan International, which involves the local authorities in its programmes. This way, he said, the local authority would be kept abreast of developments in its area and would gain experience which would be handy in future. Before the bridge was constructed, the river could not be crossed after heavy rains.