Maravi

(HERALD) Debt stalls work at Chigaro irrigation scheme

Debt stalls work at Chigaro irrigation scheme
Friday, 02 December 2011 00:00
Chinhoyi Bureau

A crippling US$7 000 debt and broken-down irrigation infrastructure has stalled work at the Chigaro Irrigation Scheme in the Makonde district of Mashonaland West Province. This has put in jeopardy the livelihoods of at least 54 families.

At its peak the project, which draws water from Mupfure River, used to supply the nearby St Rupert Hospital and the local communities with vegetables including tomatoes, legumes and maize among other crops. In an interview recently, Agritex officer Mr Benonia Makainganwa said the project was a source of livelihood for many families.

Its resuscitation, he said, would go a long way in boosting improving lives of people in the area.
"We have had the combined misfortune of crops being destroyed by elephants that follow the Mupfure River from Zambezi Valley and also a huge bill from Zesa that has seen power being disconnected," he said.
At a recent meeting organised by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, villagers said an unjustified bill from Zesa worsened their woes.
The project, which was started in 1996, accumulated charges of about US$7 000 leading to disconnections.
Local Member of House of Assembly Cde Ray Kapesa said talks were at an advanced stage to bring on board donors willing to fund the project's resuscitation.
Marauding elephants have pulled down the security fence and destroyed crops while pumps have been removed for safekeeping.
"We are interested in making sure that this project is put back on track because we see that it is benefiting a lot of our people," said Cde Kapesa.
"There are contacts with a number of people who have expressed interest in partnering the people so that the project gets off the ground."
Cde Kapesa said funding would be sourced to erect a perimeter fence and upgrade the irrigation infrastructure while part of the money from the Constituency Development Fund would go towards upgrading the project.

Labels: AGRICULTURE, IRRIGATION

posted by MrK @ 9:19 PM