Sinokubonga Nkala
Leonard Ncube, leonard.ncube@chronicle.co.zw
FOUR chiefs from Binga District in Matabeleland North, are set to receive a transformative Christmas gift this year in the form of fishing rigs under the Presidential Fisheries Scheme.
The initiative, launched by President Mnangagwa in April 2022, aims to empower traditional leaders and their communities by boosting food security and improving household incomes.
Tomorrow, the four chiefs will join 13 others who have already benefited from the scheme, ensuring that all 17 chiefs in Binga’s 25 wards now have access to fishing rigs. The chiefs who will receive the rigs missed out two years ago as they were not yet substantive leaders at the time.
The official handover ceremony will take place at Binga Rest Camp, with the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka, presenting the rigs on behalf of President Mnangagwa.
Other dignitaries expected to attend include Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo, Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training Minister Tino Machakaire, and Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe.
In a related development, Binga District Development Co-ordinator Mr Land Siansole Kabome said plans are underway to install cold rooms in the Mlibizi, Simatelele, and Chibuyu fishing areas to enhance value addition and beneficiation in the local fish industry.
He said the cold rooms will enable fishermen to store their catch, protecting them from exploitation by middlemen.
“The fishermen are at the mercy of middlemen hence the cold rooms will allow fishermen to preserve their fish while waiting for buyers. This aligns with our vision of rural industrialisation, which includes the establishment of canning factories to boost Binga’s Gross Domestic Product,” said Mr Kabome.
He said the initiative will support the implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030, ensuring no one and no place is left behind.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Richard Moyo praised President Mnangagwa for fulfilling his commitment to the people of Binga.
“We want to thank President Mnangagwa for delivering on his promise to avail the remaining rigs, and this is a significant milestone for Binga. Our traditional leaders may not have farms, but the Zambezi River serves as their farm. These fishing rigs are a game-changer for the community,” he said.
The Presidential Fisheries Scheme has also benefited youth and women’s groups, with five rigs each allocated to these groups.
Under the Second Republic, Binga District has witnessed significant development strides. Key projects include the rehabilitation of major roads such as the Binga-Siabuwa Road linking the district with Gokwe, the upgrading of schools and health facilities, the revival of the Bulawayo Kraal Irrigation Scheme, the construction of the Binga Border Post, the establishment of Binga Polytechnic, and the opening of coal mines.
Additionally, the formation of the Binga Local Board last year marked another milestone in the district’s transformation.
President Mnangagwa has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accelerating development in Binga, emphasising projects that empower local communities and improve their quality of life.
The fishing rigs, combined with other infrastructure and economic initiatives, highlight the Second Republic’s determination to uplift marginalised communities and drive inclusive growth.–@ncubeleon
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