The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa Chipinge Correspondent
VILLAGERS in Chipinge Ward 20 have joined hands with the Zimbabwe Red Cross Society to construct a bridge across Dakate River.The new bridge will benefit people in Ndunduma and Chibuwe communal lands.
Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe pledged to channel funds towards the purchasing of building material, while villagers are offering labour through the food for work programme which was recently introduced by Government.
The bridge is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
For years, especially during the rainy season, villagers in Ward 20 villagers had to grapple with the nightmare of crossing the flooded Dakate River to access their fields which are across the river. The flooded river was also a danger to school children’s lives.
So far Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe has channeled building material worth over $10 000.
Speaking during the district risk reduction committee tour of the bridge site last Friday, chairperson of Chipinge District Civil Protection Unit, Mr Freeman Mavhiza, said the construction of the bridge by villagers in unionism with Zimbabwe Red Cross Society and other well wishers was a welcome development in complementing Government’s efforts to save lives in flood prone areas.
Mr Mavhiza said villagers should also play a leading role in conserving natural resources in areas they live in to avoid natural disasters such as floods.
“It is worrisome that some of the disasters we are now facing are caused by humans. Though some natural disasters are uncontrollable, but we are saying let us make use of some mitigation measures to lessen the possibility of disasters.
“The Civil Protection Unit is grateful with synergies created by various partners to make sure the bridge is completed before the onset of the rainy season.
“Construction of bridges in these areas which are flood prone is key because it is part of preventive measure in cases of floods. We would like to thank Red Cross Society of Zimbabwe for channeling funds towards the construction of the bridge. It started as a footbridge, but now the actual bridge is taking shape,” said Mr Mavhiza.
Ward 20 councilor, Cllr Charles Mugidho, said the construction of the bridge at Dakate River would improve the community’s livelihoods.
“It is a welcome project here because during the rainy season many people especially school children’s lives were at risk when crossing the river. The construction of the bridge will also improve livelihoods of people here because they will easily access their fields on the other side of the river.
“We are happy with the progress made so far and our people are committed to offer their labour through the food for work programme,” said Cllr Mugidho.
Speaking during the same event, Headman Masimbe said he would continue mobilising his subjects to contribute labour so that the bridge would be completed on time.
Headman Masimbe said he was putting stringent measures in his area of jurisdiction to preserve natural resources.
