Bulawayo Bureau
Mangwe villagers got a shot in the arm last week when Environment, Water and Climate Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri launched development projects, some of which will facilitate access to clean water.

As part of the projects, Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri provided 20 000 fingerlings that were seeded into Ingwizi Dam — the main water source for villagers — courtesy of Zimparks.

She urged the community to take care of boreholes that were drilled to help them.

Speaking at Ingwizi in Plumtree last week, Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri, who was accompanied by Energy and Power Development Minister Ambassador Simon Khaya Moyo, commended the community for working hard to preserve the environment.

“The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) has drilled and equipped a borehole for irrigating a fruit and gumtree nursery, which we are also launching today (Thursday last week),” she said.

“As I travelled to this place, I noticed that most homesteads are along the road, hence, I will ensure that we install water pipes so you have easy access to water.

“My colleague, Minister Khaya Moyo, was persistent in ensuring that as Cabinet we address your water problems and I am glad because we are going to drill an additional six boreholes for the chiefs.”

Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said the Forestry Commission availed 156 fruit trees and a woodlot of 500 eucalyptus trees for the community to establish orchards, even in schools.

“This community project will not be complete without the participation of Zimparks who have chipped in by seeding 20 000 fingerlings into the dam,” she said. “All these projects will be integrated into supporting the already existing sustainable mining project established with the help of EMA (Environmental Management Authority) who donated a compressor, a hammer mill, a generator and water articulation systems.”

According to Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri, the district was the first to benefit from the Government’s drive to avail more than 200 boreholes to affected communities.

“As President Mnangagwa always says, we are open for business as a country; hence, I urge you all to receive these projects with a business mind,” she said.