Staff Reporter
BIKITA – Following the announcement of an early primary poll by Zanu PF, a number of aspiring candidates both parliamentary and local authority presented Curriculum Vitaes expressing interest in various constituencies and wards.
which were initially set for last Saturday (March 18) were shifted to a later date, allowing dark horses ample time to share their visions with their respective electorate.
Among these is Bikita South Henry Mumera who has a well-defined future for the constituency if voted into office.
Having worked in the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) sector for close to 15 years, Mumera says he has vast experience in societal transformation and development and has what It takes to transform the lives of people in Bikita South.
“I worked as a development practitioner in Bikita South for a very long time and I know of many areas lying idle that could be used to transform the area and if voted into office, I can easily use that knowledge to develop Bikita South,” he said.
His thematic areas include construction of roads and upgrading of the existing ones which are in a state of deterioration, provision of health facilities, revolution rising agriculture, electricity provision and income generating projects and promoting tourisms among others.
On the construction of roads, Mumera said he will target Makuvaza-Odzi, Chiremwaremwa –Mashoko to Zaka, Makuvaza – Negovano and Mukore- Chikuku road.
“I want to facilitate for the construction and repair of our major roads and rehabilitation of all rural roads leading to critical centers like clinics, shops, and schools.
“I will also look into the construction and rehabilitation of bridges and resuscitation of District Development Fund (DDF) in the constituency for infrastructure maintenance,” Mumera added.
On health provision, Mumera said there is need for construction of more clinics to reduce the traveling distance, renovation of existing ones and ensuring availability of furniture, medicines, back-up power and enough personnel at each health centre.
Mumera also added that he has vast knowledge with regard to the agriculture sector promising that he would like to modernize agriculture in Bikita South.
“I need to resuscitate the Zunde Ramambo concept in a modern way where the Chief gives us land then we bring inputs and equipment and the produce will be distributed to vulnerable groups of society.
“We want to mechanize agriculture and introduce machinery like tractors, planters, shellers, rippers, improved granaries and metal silos.
“We need to promote Pfumvudza concept, improvement of irrigation systems, production, coordination, marketing, value addition, processing, packaging, branding and marketing of constituency crop products like groundnuts, guava to guava juice, baobab products and many more,” said Mumera.
He also said he needs to promote tourism, culture and heritage in the constituency which has rich cultural sites and tourist centres.
“I want to facilitate the initiation of Rural Tourism in Bikita South through the establishment of cultural sites and celebration of culture and heritage days.
“On tourism, we want to have camping sites, lodges, boat cruise, and sunset cruise in Mashoko and Siya Dams and this will also create employment,” he said.
Mumera talked about the need for construction of new schools, rehabilitation and modernization of existing schools and also electrification and computerization of all schools in Bikita South.
He ensured that there will be a vibrant home industry by establishing a vocational training center.
“I want to make sure that we upgrade our education system in the constituency by establishing training centers for programmes like wood technology, dressmaking, panel beating, motor mechanic, hair dressing, baking and provide internet services at all learning centers”
I want to facilitate for home industry to do peanut butter, bee keeping, bakery, soap and detergent making, fence making, poultry, piggery then we create market linkages,” said Mumera
He also said there was need for establishment of growth point at Chiremwaremwa or Mashoko and engage business people to establish fuel stations at Mashoko, Chiremwaremwa, Mukore and Chedutu as well as the completion of the Rural Electrification Programme (REA).
