GOVERNMENT has deployed workers to rehabilitate the Chikwarakwara Irrigation Scheme, situated about 120 kilometres out of Beitbridge town, but villagers feel more needs to be done to ensure food security in the drought-prone Beitbridge district.
BY REX MPHISA
Chikwarakwara villagers said they wanted government to repair the bridge at Bubi River linking them with Chikombedzi in Chiredzi.
Beitbridge East legislator Albert Nguluvhe said work was now in progress at the 60-hectare scheme.
“I am excited about it, because I mentioned this in my maiden address to Parliament and already work is underway,” he said.
“We can only have food security if farmers are productive and if there are facilitated community work projects.”
Chikwarakwara Irrigation Scheme is one of the oldest in the district, having been established in the 1960s, but has not been functioning consistently, mainly due to the perennial breakdown of its water pumps.
Nguluvhe also said villagers had appealed to government to hasten the repair of a bridge that links Chikwarakwara and Chikombedzi.
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“It is a vital link for the Shangani people in Chiredzi and Beitbridge districts, but on a more economic note, it creates easier navigation on the Transfontier Park shared by Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he said.
“If movement increases in the area, a number of problems are solved because people commute easily, so that bridge is vital.”
The bridge was destroyed by Cyclone Eline in 2000 and affects tourism and trade among villagers in the district.
Nguluvhe also asked government to consider upgrading Beitbridge Hospital, which apart from being the district’s referral hospital, serves as the health port for people in transit via the border town.
“Upgrading it will open avenues for more staff and funding, and it will adequately cater for both its targeted community of 120 000 and the population in transit,” he said.
