The ManicaPost
Post Reporter
MUTASA Rural District Council scooped the 2016 Best Rural District Authority promoting Investment Award.
| The award is from the Zimbabwe Investment Authority.Mutasa RDC was presented the award by Zimbabwe Investment Authority chairman, Dr Nigel Chanakira at a ceremony held at Cresta Lodge in Harare recently. |
Dr Chanakira was the guest of honour. The award recognises efforts made by Rural District Councils in attracting investment portfolios in their respective areas.
Mutasa Rural District Council has taken advantage of its geographical terrain and free flowing rivers to attract investment in renewable energy.
To date, the local authority has authorised the setting up and commissioning of hydro-power plants in the district.
Mutasa District is poised to contribute about 28 Megawatts to the national grid. Recent investment deals will see the district surpassing the over 30 megawatt mark.
The impetus in taking this route is premised on the understanding that independent power producers have a pivotal role to play in contributing to national development by meeting the country’s national energy needs.
Investments have also been made in the establishment of service stations that incorporate food courts at Mutasa District Service Centre and Penhalonga-Tsvingwe incorporated area.
The proposed establishment of a Fruit and Vegetable wholesale Market in Hauna, Honde Valley will also go a long way in harnessing the abundant fruit and vegetable produce that had been rotting due to low uptake by an already oversubscribed market.
Furthermore, the local authority has also managed to court investors under the Value Addition and Beneficiation Cluster of Zim-Asset that will see industries being established to transform raw fruits and vegetables into finished products.
Development partners have also come in with investments which have seen the proliferation of the Sweet William Banana variety which is export quality.
Establishment of private colleges has also been on the increase as the district aims to contribute towards the attainment of the nation’s educational targets.
Mutasa Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Mr George Tonderai Bandure, said: “The major role of local authorities in a changing environment is to provide conducive working space to investment initiatives in line with Government’s ease of doing business thrust.” He expressed gratitude to the multiplicity of players whose investment initiatives had seen the local authority scooping the coveted award.
Mutasa RDC has won the award in a second year running since winning the inaugural award last year.
