Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE Government continues to prioritise rural development by ensuring access to electricity, with villagers of Gutu being the latest to benefit following the commissioning of electricity transformers in the area to supply critical institutions including clinics, schools, and rural business centres.
Mr Cuthbert Marimi is one of the small business owners at Jaravaza shopping Centre in Gutu, and he is looking forward to improved business following the installation of a new electricity transformer in their area.
Apart from Jaravaza Shopping Centre, five other transformers were installed at various centres and are expected to feed into critical institutions including rural healthcare centres and schools, with the project being spearheaded by area legislator, Honourable Winston Chitando.
“Today is a big day for this community, we had gone for more than three years without electricity because we did not have a transformer. Now that it has been installed, our small businesses are going to thrive again because we were no longer able to run butcheries, and liquor shops or store perishable goods. We thank our government for always being supportive of the rural populace,” Mr Marimi said.
Gutu central villagers gathered at various centres across their constituency at the weekend to celebrate the development implemented by the Second Republic.
“Today after the installation of electricity transformers, our clinics will now run viably, our children will now be doing computer studies at any time. Even our rural homes are now reconnected meaning we now have smooth access to information,” a villager said.
“The government sank more than 20 boreholes and many are now into gardening projects. Again, we are beneficiaries of the Presidential Goat and Poultry Scheme among many others,” another villager added.
Honourable Winston Chitando, who is also the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, said rural industrialisation is key to achieving Vision 2030.
“The government is walking the talk by ensuring no one and no place is left behind in terms of development. Access to electricity is key for rural communities as they will be able to do small businesses viably.
“Again, our clinics need to have electricity all the time as well as our schools among other important institutions. As espoused by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, rural industrialisation is key in achieving Vision 2030, hence we are supporting all development programmes in our area,” he said.
Gutu central constituency also has running garlic farming projects and is also a beneficiary of various development programmes by the government in the health sector, agriculture, road rehabilitation and education infrastructure, among others.
