DDF starts constructing roads to chiefs’ homes . . . Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC sets aside $239k for road equipment

GOVERNMENT has started rehabilitating and opening up roads leading to chiefs’ homesteads in Mashonaland West Province in a development that has been welcomed by the chiefs and the communities they lead.

The District Development Fund (DDF), which is spearheading the programme, is also sinking boreholes at all the 28 chiefs’ homesteads in the province.

This is in line with a Government directive following the meeting between the chiefs from across the country and President Mnangwagwa in Gweru early this year.

In an interview, DDF provincial coordinator Mr Erikano Chikande said they had already completed working on roads leading to homes of traditional leaders in Sanyati and Hurungwe districts.

“So far we have completed three roads leading to Chief Hozheri, Chief Neuso and Chief Chundu homes in Hurungwe,” he said.

“The programme is being extended to all chiefs in the province so that people can access them easily and also ensure that they have access to water as we will also sink boreholes at their homes.”

At least 25 kilometres of each road would be worked on, starting from the main road to the chief’s homes. Mr Chikande said the boreholes that would be sunk at the ZIMBABWE Farmers Union (ZFU) has condemned illegal grain buyers in most parts of Mashonaland West Province.

The unscrupulous businesspeople have been on a spree, fleecing desperate farmers in need of cash.

In an interview, ZFU second vice-president Mr Barean Mukwende warned the illegal grain buyers they their actions could lead to prosecution.

Mr Mukwende also sits on the Agricultural MHONDORO-NGEZI Rural District Council has set aside $239 000 to buy road equipment during the second quarter of the year.

According to minutes of a recent full council meeting for the first quarter of the year, the local authority has also bought at least 800 bags of cement earmarked for the construction of community halls in all the 16 wards of the district. The rural district council is currently drilling boreholes in every ward, as part of its effort to provide safe water supplies for residents.

“During the second quarter of the

chief ’s homes would be used by the whole community. Chief Chundu welcomed the development saying the roads should also get attention whenever routine maintenance is being done on other roads.

“This is a very welcome development, which we believe should be extended to every traditional leader, depending on availability of resources. DDF has done about 200 metres and that gives respectability year, it is our intention that the following be undertaken: procurement of a $239 000 excavator, two utility vehicles, combine harvester and tipper truck,” reads part of the report.

“Fifty bags will be distributed to all wards to commence the building of community halls.”

The report also revealed that the drilling of boreholes had been temporarily halted due to the rains.

“The drilling of boreholes will continue during this second quarter. The rig has not been working due to the rains as most sites could not be accessed.

“However, noting that the rains are

to the chiefs,” he said.

The programme is covering all the seven districts in Mashonaland West Province.

Meanwhile, DDF is also opening up roads leading to at least five schools in the province.

The schools are Tavoyi Primary and secondary schools, Chitamba Primary School in Hurungwe and Sadoma primary in Makonde District. tailing off, work have started at a slow pace. Currently, the 16 boreholes which were allocated to wards are being drilled.”

The Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC is, however, reportedly failing to maximise profits at its service station due to poor network challenges, which are affecting EcoCash and swipe transactions.

“The fuel station project has been affected by the cash crisis, with sales being at their lowest and efforts are being made for people to access the product through EcoCash and swipe when network is available,” read the report.

Work is currently in progress at Just Right Primary School in Hurungwe. Mr Chikande said the schools have no proper infrastructure.

“We are opening up access roads and providing water through drilling of boreholes as part of our community assistance programme.”

The programme is targeting disadvantaged schools.