Ray Bande in Hwakwata, CHIPINGE
MORE than 12 500 people now have a reliable source of clean energy, courtesy of a US$1.5 million solar and biogas project established in the remote Hwakwata Village in Mutema-Musikavanhu Constituency, which was officially commissioned by President Mnangagwa yesterday.
In a speech read on his behalf by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Edgar Moyo, President Mnangagwa said the massive project was made possible by the Government’s engagement and re-engagement policy.
“It is an event which marks part of my Government’s efforts to modernise Zimbabwe through the provision of sustainable, modern and clean energy.
This project is part of the Climate Adaptation, Water and Energy Programme (CAWEP), and is being funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) of the UK and Rural Electrification Fund (REF). The CAWEP Project is a result of the Government’s engagement and reengagement efforts with the international community,” he said.
The project was implemented in Hwakwata and three other areas in Chivi, Insiza and Mlibizi in Binga.
The Hakwata Green Village Project comprises a 220 kilowatt (220kW) solar power plant, 90 biogas digesters, 100 solar home systems, 30 solar streetlights and a community solar water pumping system, making it the first community project to be undertaken by Government, FCDO and UNDP through the Rural Electrification Fund.
“It is undoubtedly an important development in our country. The project has also been done in three other rural districts at a lesser scale than here, but still in the spirit of ensuring we leave no place and no one behind,” said President Mnangagwa, adding that the Hwakwata solar and biogas project dovetails into national aspirations and Vision 2030.
“Zimbabwe, as a responsible member of the United Nations family, is committed to fulfilling the UN Agenda 2030 on sustainable development and our National Blueprint (Vision 2030) through implementing all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Vision 2030: “Towards a Prosperous and Empowered Upper Middle Income Society by 2030” is guided by our National Development Strategy One (NDS1): 2021-2025. Today we are gathered here to witness one of the projects aimed at accomplishing UN Sustainable Development Goal Number Seven and one of the NDS1 priority areas, that is, “Provision of Improved Infrastructure and Services” comprising energy, water, sanitation and transport.
“SDG 7’s goal is to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. This goal dovetails with my Government’s objective of achieving universal access to modern energy services by 2030,” said President Mnangagwa.
He reiterated Government’s commitment to bridging the gap between rural and urban areas in the development trajectory.
“The Government of Zimbabwe has, since the attainment of our independence in 1980, never looked back in its commitment to better the lives of both its rural and urban populace through infrastructural development that promotes good living standards, healthcare and education of our children. In that regard, the Government embarked on such infrastructural development projects such as construction of roads, dams, schools, clinics, electricity infrastructure, communication facilities, drilling of boreholes, and many other initiatives,” said the President.
Also addressing the same gathering, Member of the House of Assembly for Mutema-Musikavanhu Constituency and Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable Angeline Gata, said what is being witnessed in the Hakwata area is unprecedented.
“President Mnangagwa has always been on record advocating sustainable development solutions to challenges that we face in our everyday lives. This is one living example of how President Mnangagwa is a man of his words. We are indeed grateful to him and his Government as well as all the partners who worked tirelessly to improve our situation. This is something that we have never witnessed in this part of the country, and it will go a long way in closing the gap in terms of opportunities here compared to urban settlements,” she said.
In his welcome remarks, Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza, who was represented by the Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Mr Abbiot Maronge, thanked the President for affording Manicaland, in particular Chipinge District, another milestone developmental project.
United Nations Development Programme Resident Representative in Zimbabwe, Dr Ayodele Odusola, commended Government for walking the talk in leaving no place and no person behind in its development trajectory.
“This is a milestone achievement that ensures disadvantaged rural communities also develop to match humane and fairly decent standards of living,” he said.
British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Mr Pete Vowles said: “We commend the power of partnerships in development initiatives, given the valuable input from the Government of Zimbabwe, UNDP and the UK Government in seeing the successful completion of the Hwakwata solar and biogas project.”
