Chegutu gets 1 100ha for town’s expansion Speaking to The Herald, Mashonaland West Minister of State for Mashonaland West, Mary Mliswa Chikoka said all preparations had been successfully completed.

Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau 

More than 1 100 hectares have been availed to Chegutu Rural District Council and Chegutu Municipality by the Local Government and Public Works Ministry for the expansion of the town.

Through National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), the Government wants massive infrastructure development across the country, targeting healthcare facilities, schools, roads and boosting power generation to accelerate the attainment of Vision 2030.

Chegutu RDC chairperson, Councillor Tendai Gwinji, revealed the plans to expand the town to Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West Mary Mliswa-Chikoka, during the handover ceremony of 29 motorbikes bought for councillors by the council yesterday.

 “We have been allocated land together with Chegutu Municipality amounting to 1 176 hectares for a new Chegutu town,” he said. “We are on the planning stage. 

“The two councils have set up a six-member joint committee, in line with the Rural District and Urban Councils’ Acts.”

Chegutu Municipality spokesperson, Mr Brian Nkiwane, confirmed the council’s involvement in the new Chegutu town planning. 

The development will help change the face of the area in tandem with Vision 2030.

Turning to the motorbikes, Clr Gwinji said they will enable councillors to visit all parts of their wards spearheading developmental projects and raising Covid-19 vaccination awareness. 

 “The motorbikes will help promote the council’s agenda and visions of having more clinics and schools,” he said. “We used our own funds for the motorbikes’ purchase and didn’t use devolution funds as they are intended to improve the lives of the people.”

Chegutu RDC’s acting chief executive officer, Mr Admire Machingura said they used $3,4 million of council funds to buy the motorbikes and councillors will pay back through deductions from their allowances, with the payments set at a level so the debts can be cleared by the time of the next election.

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka applauded the council for using own funds to purchase the motorbikes, and using devolution funds for people-centred projects aimed at improving the lives of people.

 “The new means of transport speaks to Vision 2030 and National Development Strategy 1,” she said. 

“The fact that you purchased these bikes using own funds shows that the council is working very hard and collecting revenue. Your dreams of improving the lives of the people you represent will be attained.”

Minister Mliswa-Chikoka condemned parallel structures within council, adding that Vision 2030 would be achieved through hard work, unity and peace between councils and communities.

Last week, Zvimba Rural District Council handed over 37 motorcycles to its councillors in a similar scheme.

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