Itai Muzondo
Mwenezi –Chief Neshuro of Mwenezi could not hide his joy yesterday as the World Food Programme (WFP) Secretariat donated foodstuffs and material for the Productive Asset Creation (PAC) programme and applauded the organization for bringing development to his homeland.
Speaking at an event where WFP’s chief partners, Japanese government represented by Ambassador Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi had come to witness the ongoing construction of Tsvimborume Dam being constructed under the PAC Programme, Chief Neshuro said the team has brought what they always heard of to reality.
“I am happy that development has reached my doorstep. Development had actually remained an elite tradition which only benefited town communities.
“The WFP and their partners from the Japanese government are ever welcome to my area as long as they hold such developmental projects for my people,” said the Chief.
“Besides just applauding our donor friends, a word of advice would be good to my people. Human participation is great when you are being given aid for such developmental projects and above all, we should shun corruption as you should maintain of using the resources you are given in a clear and transparent manner,” the Chief added.
Addressing people who are participating in the ongoing construction of Tsvimborume Dam, Japanese Ambabsodor to Zimbabwe, Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi said his government has injected USD1.5 million for WFP to facilitate the PAC Programme.
In supporting the WFP initiative, we have extended a grant of USD1.5 million. This programme seeks to strengthen the power of resistance of the local community to the natural disaster such as drought by helping the community to build viable assets such as this dam in collaboration with WFP, NGO Partners, in this case Mwenezi Development Training Centre,” said Hiraishi.
WFP National Director, Eddie Rowe said he was happy to implement projects appreciated by the community at large as he noted that the projects came after consultations with the locals on possible projects of their choice.
“When people appreciate the work we do like this, I even feel a sense of belonging. WFP is happy on the participation rate from the coordinating team way up to our funding partners.
“I assure you that if we continue with this spirit, Mwenezi will be with a new outlook in a period of two years’ time and as from our side, we will make sure that our footprints in Masvingo as a province are recognized and successful,” said Rowe.
From left, Mwenezi D.A Rosemery Chingwe, Japan Ambassador to Zim, Yoshi Tendai Hiraishi and WFP National Director Eddie Rowe
Meanwhile, Mwenezi district spans across agro – ecological zones four and five and experiences low annual rainfall making it subject to periodic droughts and severe dry spells during the rainy season. The ongoing project therefore aims to create, protect and rehabilitate productive assets that improve food security, income security and livelihood opportunities and buid resilience of vulnerable households to shocks.local
