The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
Government is working round the clock to build houses for Cyclone Idai victims who were left homeless last year, with the first batch expected to be completed by end of this month, The Manica Post has established.
In line with the “Building Back Better” policy adopted by the Government in its disaster recovery efforts after the March 2019 tropical cyclone, four-roomed houses are being built.
The Government — through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works — is building the modern structures at West End Farm near Nedziwa Business Centre in Chimanimani.
The Manica Post visited the construction site on Tuesday and saw 25 houses that were at roofing stage, while 35 were still at foundation level.
The 55 housing units make up the first batch of a project that will see 500 houses constructed upon completion.
The usually tranquil environs of West End Farm are now a hive of activity as more than 150 construction workers are on the ground doing the work.
Chimanimani District Development Coordinator, Mr Joseph Manyurapasi, said Government was on course to beat the December deadline. “We started construction on June 25 with 52 workers on site. We have since increased the number of workers to above 150 in order to expedite the process.
“We hope to complete the first batch of 55 houses by end of this month. We are well on course to achieving that,” said Mr Manyurapasi.
He thanked the International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) for providing temporary timber shelter for the Idai victims.
“IOM chipped in with the relatively safer timber shelter. We are really thankful for that.
“It is important to note that this reconstruction is multi-sectorial. In Government, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works is spearheading the construction of the houses, while the Ministry of Transport
and Infrastructural Development is conducting roads construction. The Ministry of Energy and Power Development through the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (Zetdc) will provide electricity.
“The Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) is providing water,” said Mr Manyurapasi.
Manicaland’s Provincial Development Coordinator, Mr Edgars Seenza weighed in to say after some development partners had reneged on their pledges to construct housing units for Cyclone Idai victims, Government has stepped up to close the gap despite the Covid-19 hurdle.
“The Covid-19 pandemic affected progress but Government is working round the clock to mobilise funds for the construction of the houses,” said Mr Seenza.
Cyclone Idai affected parts of Manicaland, including Chimanimani, Chipinge and Buhera.Parts of Masvingo were also affected.
The cyclone left a trail of destruction, with several houses, clinics, schools and roads swept away. Hundreds of people also lost their lives.
