Story by Tichaona Kurewa
The conferment of local board status to Binga Centre has excited stakeholders in the area who are optimistic that the development will unlock massive investment opportunities in the district.
The development makes Binga the fourth local board in Matabeleland North Province after Hwange, Tsholotsho and Lupane.
Speaking to the ZBC News in Binga recently, stakeholders in the area indicated that the elevation comes at the opportune time as the district angles for investment in areas such as tourism, fisheries, marine transport and agriculture.
A tourism player told our reporter, “We are now looking for a developmental plan which is more inclined to tourism in terms of opportunities, hotels and lodges as well as other facilities such as banking, supermarkets that complements tourism.”
“Having a town status, we are seeing more people coming into Binga as more and more people are just participating and wanting to know about Binga, learn and know more about Binga. It’s now all road leads to Binga,” another noted.
“We have stands to set up various tourist-related structures such as hotels, lodges and holiday homes. We also have opportunities in fish breeding, and canning that is value-adding our fish. We also have opportunities in modern housing projects. Other investment opportunities lie in sport in terms of beach volleyball and soccer,” Binga Town Planner, Alfred Sibanda said.
Binga District Development Coordinator, Mr Land Kabome highlighted some of the steps to be taken as the first local board status is being implemented in the district.
“We want to reorganise the town. We will take the Zimbabwe Republic Police camp and Zimbabwe Prison and Correctional Services facilities from the centre of the town. The other recommendation is that the Grain Marketing Board premises be taken to Manjolo so that we have space for development purposes. Remember this is a tourist corridor, we want to make our town attractive,” said Mr Kabome.
Binga also has various tourist attractions which include sand beaches, hot springs, wildlife and a border with Zambia which can facilitate trade and commerce via Namafulo Border Post on the Zambian side.
