Uzile Mkwananzi, Sunday News Reporter
THE recent commissioning of Lingwe piped water scheme which is going to serve 160 households in Matobo District has been lauded as a positive step in the fulfilment of the Second Republic’s aspirations of being responsive to communities’ needs through provision of essential services as espoused in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
Commissioning the 30 000 cubic metre-piped water scheme that is going to provide relief to livestock farmers through a dip tank catering for 1 360 herd of cattle in Matobo on Monday, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the project addressed a number of priority areas in the NDS1.
“It is important to note that this project has addressed a number of our priority areas in the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1). These key pillars include food and nutrition security, infrastructure and utilities, as well as health and well-being. With these initiatives Matobo District has provided a platform for the achievement of Vision 2030 as well as to the Sustainable Development Goal Number Two and Six which aims at hunger reduction as well as provision of clean water and sanitation that will be achieved in no time,” said Dr Ndlovu.
She said the scheme had a holding capacity of 30 000 cubic metres of water and is set to benefit 160 households, the business centre and a dip tank which caters for 1 360 head of cattle as well as other livestock in the community.
Lingwe Primary School with a total enrolment of 231 learners and a number of teachers are also set to benefit from the project.
“A nutrition garden has also been established with 50 households set to benefit from dietary requirements and this will definitely help to reduce the effects of droughts which are already being felt. On that note let me assure the district that the Social Welfare Department is in the process of upscaling the maize distribution programme,” said Dr Ndlovu.
Matobo Rural District Council’s chief executive officer Mr Elvis Sibanda said the piped water scheme was a result of working together by the community and called on development partners to continue supporting development initiatives in the district.
“It is our fervent hope that development partners will continue to walk side by side with the local authority especially on infrastructure development which is our greatest need. We need to scale up on piped water schemes, infrastructure on health and education,” said Mr Sibanda.
He said the commissioning of the piped water scheme follows President Mnangagwa’s launch of the “Call to Action Blueprint” where he directed that the quality-of-service provision by local authorities should be in line with a standard upper-middle-income economy which is the import of Vision 2030 where local authorities should achieve acceptable service delivery levels.
“The community of Ward 8 and 10 have clearly demonstrated that community participation leads to development that is more responsive to the needs of the people.
“The completion of this project means that the community has to focus on the other development initiatives than spending time sourcing water. The community is also committed to the protection of this project and will ensure that security is provided for this infrastructure against any form of vandalism as it is their pride and joy,” said Mr Sibanda.
The CEO said the district falls under Region Five which is characterised by poor rainfall patterns.
He said it was imperative to note that the southern part of the district, comprising Wards One to 10 had very low success rates in terms of drilling boreholes due to the very low water table, hence the need for piped water schemes as a lasting solution to communities’ challenges.
