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Tawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi

Chiredzi South parliamentarian Cde Kallisto Gwanetsa (zanu-pf) says he has come up with a raft of projects to accelerate rural development in the area.

Cde Gwanetsa, who was re-elected for a third term, said it was critical to spread development initiatives to all parts of the constituency including Sengwe communal lands.

In an interview, Cde Gwanetsa said the electorate had given him a new mandate to implement various socio- economic projects to uplift the lives of many in the constituency.

“My re-election is a show of confidence in my leadership skills and capacities by the people of Chiredzi South. I intend to continue from where I left in terms of initiating and implementing development-oriented projects,” said Cde Gwanetsa.

“We need to urgently attend to the upgrading of television, radio and telecommunications signals and water and sanitation issues at Chikombedzi Business Centre among other key areas which require urgent redress.

“So far we have achieved a lot as a rural constituency in terms of infrastructure development including the construction of more schools, refurbishment of the road network and resuscitation of major irrigation schemes.

“Our focus this time will be directed towards irrigation development, improving water and sanitation issues, access to education and addressing issues of an upsurge on school drop outs in our area.”

According to Cde Gwanetsa, Chikombedzi Business Centre has been dogged by water challenges for over a decade and the status quo has been affecting operations at the local referral hospital among other social amenities.

He said he will also push for the speedy completion of Chilonga Bridge to boost trade within the district and the neighbouring Mozambique.

He said development agencies should join hands with Government and the communities revamping some irrigation projects which are currently operating below capacity.

“Our irrigation schemes used to produce high quality fresh vegetables for the whole district. We want that glory to be revived. The relationship between extension workers and our communal farmers if improved would see us address issues to do with productivity and food security.

“Given that Climate Change is not sparing us, I believe we need to priorities irrigation farming. You will note that we have many water bodies in our area among them Runde, Mwenezi and Limpopo Rivers. These can fully supply the district with irrigation water,” he said.