The Sunday News
Richard Muponde, Gwanda Correspondent
THE District Development Fund has constructed two bridges in Gwanda North and South respectively at a total cost of $115 000 under the Food for Assets programme.
Pelele Bridge in Ntalale which cost $70 000 and Mlampaphele Bridge built at a cost of
$45 000 in Halisupi were constructed with the help of communities which provided free labour with other participants being paid with grain provided by the Department of Social Welfare under the Food for Assets Programme.
Commissioning the two bridges last week, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Dr Joram Gumbo said the bridges will ease transport challenges for farmers as they deliver their produce to markets after a successful agriculture season.
“The extension work in both crop and livestock will also be enhanced by this connectivity. Economic activities will also improve due to accessibility to markets and ease of moving commodities closer to communities. Generally the deployments of qualified personnel will ensure quality services to these communities and beyond,” said Dr Gumbo.
He said the Government thrives to see development in all communities especially trafficable roads and bridges with the aim of enhancing good living standards of the rural population.
“I want to show my appreciation to the success of the partnership between DDF which provided expertise, co-ordination, the bulk of material as well as equipment to make this structure a reality, department of Social Welfare for grain deliveries to the area in support of the construction activities,” he said.
The Minister of Rural Development, Promotion and Preservation of National Culture and Heritage who is responsible for State Affairs in Matabeleland South province, Cde Abednigo Ncube said trafficable road network stimulates development of communities.
“Such developments will enable them to be able to engage in income generating projects thereby boosting our economy and booting out dependence syndrome. This also shows that as Matabeleland South we are mainstreaming Zim Asset in all our plans and programmes,” said Cde Ncube.
Speaking at the same occasion, DDF Matabeleland South provincial co-ordinator, Mr Douglas Dube said synergies they entered into, with the communities helped to fulfil the projects.
“Labour was for free and some of the members were coming from the Food for Assets programme where Social Welfare provided grain. So in brief the bridges were a product of the programme including the one we are about to finish in Plumtree, Mananda Bridge,” said Mr Dube.
