…as Govt, residents & council team up to complete clinic
By Tinotenda Afarasi
There is an old saying that goes like, “united we stand, divided we fall”.
Whoever coined the statement, may have had in mind the people of Zimbabwe in general and those of Chikomba, in Mashonaland East province in particular.
The culture of working together is beginning to take root, especially since November 27, when citizens joined hands to demand a new leadership.
From 2018 when the new Government led by President Mnangagwa was set up after the July 31 elections, many people including those that were previously disparaging their nation from their new found bases in foreign lands, are doing one thing or the other to develop their country of birth.
Others have abandoned their good jobs and great environs in the West to come back home and take up jobs at institutions such as ZESA, all in a quest to play a part in developing Zimbabwe.
Political and social commentators say many Zimbabweans have been given a fresh view of citizenship by President Mnangagwa through his “nyika inovakwa neve vayo/ Ilizwe liyakiwa ngabanikazi balo” mantra.
The people of Ward 15 in Chikomba District, decided to domestic that “nyika inovakwa nevene vayo” call and combined efforts to build Madamombe Clinic.
Construction of the clinic started in 2012, but like most projects started in the First Republic, it could not be completed due to funding challenges.
Now, the Second Republic provided devolution funds, the community provided labour and Chikomba Rural District Council provided technical support.
Mashonaland East Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Aplonia Munzverengwi, commissioned the Madamombe Clinic recently.
In her address while commis υυυ
τττ sioning the clinic, Minister Munzverengwi saluted the collaboration that saw the project concluded.
“This project is a product of collaboration and collective effort,” she said.
“The community played a pivotal role in providing locally available resources while the traditional leaders were also instrumental in mobilising the community to gather the much-needed labour and locally available material.
“During the period 2012-2017 the project was largely through ward plough backs in the form of development levies. However, the completion of the project was delayed due to funding challenges.”
Minister Munzverengwi said when the Government started disbursing devolution funds in 2019, Chikomba RDC elected to allocate some funds towards completion of the important clinic, which will now benefit thousands of villagers who have been walking for long distances in search of medical care.
She said Chikomba RDC channelled the devolution funds on the purchase of roofing material, ceiling, paint, cement, window frames and door frames.
“My office is proud that Chikomba RDC has been optimally using the funds and to date a number of projects have been completed, while some of the projects that have been started are at various stages of completion.
“The project being commissioned (Madamombe Clinic) and those that have already been commissioned are a product of wide consultations and they seek to meet the needs of the community.”
President Mnangagwa has been calling on councils to consult beneficiaries before imposing “developments” on the people.
The President wants “high impact projects” that people had been clamouring for all along such as clinics, schools, roads and clean water, so that residents do not continue to suffer even when the money is there.
Chikomba RDC chairman Alderman Israel Dhikinya, praised President Mnangagwa for introducing devolution funds.
He said devolution funds have greatly assisted them, including at Madamombe Clinic.
“Through these (devolution) funds, we also managed to procure tipper trucks and other equipment, now service delivery has improved.
“Let us work together and fulfill Vision 2030,” said Alderman Dhikinya.
Villagers were full of praise for the Government for supporting the competition of the clinic.
Mr Lovemore Mashayamombe (62) said they walked for over 15km to get to the nearest clinic and it was difficult to get there when it was raining.
“Since 2012, people in the area have been wondering if the clinic will be completed. Others no longer wanted to provide labour saying they were working in vain due to lack of funding.
“However, we are grateful to President Mnangagwa’s Government for providing the funds, which have seen us finally having a clinic in our area,” he said.
“We are thankful to Chikomba RDC and the Government for this.”
