Story by Courage Bushe

THE commissioning of the Phoenix Dam Bridge in the Chizungu area of Mberengwa District this Tuesday is set to transform the drought-prone district into a vibrant economic hub through water-driven value chain gains.

In addition, the 268-metre-long Phoenix Dam Bridge in Mberengwa West that connects the community to the main road leading to Zvishavane and Mataga Business Centre is set to unlock new economic opportunities in the area.

The bridge, which benefits more than one thousand families in the area, has relieved villagers who have been finding it difficult to cross Mwenezi River during the rainy season.

A villager said, “We are delighted with the project because we will start doing business through farming. We are in a drought-prone area, hence irrigation is the only way to success.”

“In the past transport was a thorn in the flesh for us but due to this initiative it will be a thing of the past we thank our leadership for such a noble initiative,” another villager said.

The government is confident the Phoenix Dam Bridge will provide several benefits to the local community and the district in terms of poverty alleviation and food security.

Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honorable Owen Ncube said, “This significant structure serves a dual purpose, acting both as a dam wall and a bridge, symbolising the remarkable synergy of development and innovation. The government recognises the vital role of agriculture as a Vision 2030 accelerator as it provides food security, nutrition, and employment for most of our people and supports manufacturing and other downstream industries.”

Infrastructure development remains central to the development agenda of the Second Republic as espoused by the National Development Strategy One.