Zimunya-Marange deserves better

EDITOR — WOOD (1995) states that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic technique used by environmental experts before undertaking a project, programme or policy.

It should involve stakeholders as competent authorities, advisors, government agencies and most importantly the affected communities, that is those directly affected and communities surrounding the project area.

This is very important because it facilitates mutual understanding between participants – that is developers, authorities and the affected communities.

It seems the input from the people of Zimunya-Marange was not incorporated or they were not consulted at all on the on-going diamond mining in the area.

This is not coming from the blues, but given the time that the project has been operating, no meaningful development has been registered.

The roads are bad and not pleasing to drive. The area has no electricity and schools are not connected to the internet.

There is no industry or banks to talk about. Very little has been injected into the Zimunya-Marange Community Ownership Trust, which is meant to spearhead key infrastructure development in the area.

We expect the mining companies to also partner local authorities to spearhead development in the area as part of their corporate social responsibility.

We want electricity, internet, textbooks and well-to-do infrastructure at our schools. We need well-to-do and accessible health facilities in the area to save lives.

We need diversified livelihood options to generate income.

We envy for trafficable roads and employment for the locals.

As the custodians of diamonds, we deserve better. Please take not of our concerns, and give the people of Zimunya-Marange a fair share of the cake.

Give locals priority in job areas that do not require expertise. We cannot have casual employees from other provinces dominating the workforce at Chiadzwa.

No, it is unfair. Fungai Nhaitai