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Herald Reporter

Mashonaland Central is set for massive transformation with major projects earmarked this year including the gas and oil drilling, processing and refinery plant in Muzarabani expected to boost the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The provincial development coordinator Mr Timothy Maregere said the gas and oil project is a “game changer” set to change the face of the province and the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development has set aside $164 million towards the project.

He said the province will receive $19,5 billion devolution funds and they have come up with a Provincial Development Strategy 1 (PDS1) derived from the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) where 61 high impact projects ranging from dams, roads, health, education, water and sanitation have been earmarked for this year.

Among national projects in the province which are not funded from devolution funds are Semwe, Silverstone and Bindura Dams which will be turned into major holiday resorts and tourist attraction centres for boat cruising, fishing and sky diving.

Semwe and Silverstone dams have potential for the establishment of small hydro-power stations to support economic activities and generation of surplus power which can feed into the national grid.

The province is prioritising development and rehabilitation of irrigation infrastructure at these three dams for production of cash crops for local and export market.

The estimated project costs for the three dams is $22 263 000 000 and they are all on-going projects by Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) and have been stalled due to lack of funds.

Bindura Dam will be a primary source of water for Bindura residents and mining activities at Freda Rebecca Gold Mine, Ran Mine and Trojan Nickel Mine.

The provincial development coordinator Mr Timothy Maregere said the upgrading of Lilstock Dam to support irrigation activities is also among the priority projects.

The province is also targeting Mavuradonha and Dande Dam construction. Dande Dam has an estimated cost of $20 500 000 000.

Water schemes at Manhenga Growth Point and Chimhanda in Rushinga will be completed to provide water to the emerging residential areas.

Major roads like Guruve-Kanyemba, Ruya-Mukumbura, Matepatepa-Mt Darwin, Mahuhwe-Chidodo, Rushinga-Chimhanda among others are on the cards.

Mr Maregere said the $19,5 billion will be disbursed to all local authorities and the priority is water and sanitation, health services, education and road infrastructure.

“The PDS1 has 61 high impact projects which will act as catalysts for development in the province.

“These projects are funded by Government, private sector and other developmental partners,” said Mr Maregere.

“Allocation of devolution funds to local authorities is based on poverty, infrastructure quality and population. Accountability and efficient use of devolution funds is expected for all local authorities.”