MAKWE FARMERS APPEAL FOR GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION PLOT holders at Makwe Irrigation Scheme, about 30km south of Gwanda town, are calling on the Government to intervene and assistthem in settling the $150 000 they owe the Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZEDCO).The debt, which has resulted in the power utility company cutting off supplies to the irrigation scheme, has been cumulating since 2008.The 494 villagers came up with a reasonable payment plan which would see them settling their debtswhile operations continue at the irrigation scheme which they say is their source of livelihood.The irrigation scheme which had created a lot of employment for villagers who have since turned to gold panning around Tuli River as a result of the power cut off.In separate interviews this week the plot holders said they were willing to co-operate with the parastatal if they were in agreement on terms of payment.They also called on the Government and other well-wishers to help them offset the debt.“We are reeling from the effects of the devastating drought and Makwewas our source of livelihood. We are therefore calling on central Government and other well- wishers to assist us in offsetting part of the debt.“We are willing to co-operate with Zesa and the Government in finding the way forward.“As villagers we are of the view thatwe be allowed to access water and continue with farming activities andthat part of our yields will be channelled to Zesa as a way of offsetting our debt,” said Moses Sibanda, a plot holder.He said the unavailability of power was crippling the operations at the once viable irrigation scheme.Another villager Mrs Sehlulwe Nyathi said: “We are in the agriculture natural farming region five and we solely rely on irrigationfarming.“We therefore would like to reach amutual understanding with ZEDCO that will benefit both parties.“Irrigation farming is the main source of livelihood in this part of the world and hence we want the matter addressed urgently.”She said the maize crop they had planted at the irrigation scheme had started wilting due to acute water shortages.Matabeleland South Provincial Agronomist, Mr. Innocent Nyathi confirmed that all was not well at Makwe this week.He said the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (Zinwa) and Zesa should consider offering the Makwefarmers communal rates not commercial rates as the villagers engaged in subsistence farming.Mr Nyathi said he was of the view that the affected plot holders should be given a payment plan to settle their bills over a lengthy period rather than a once off settlement.“These farmers need the assistance from the Gwanda Rural District Council and Government as they are poorly resourced, you will realise that during Maguta/Inala there were good produces at Makwe simply because the Government was chipping in with low cost inputs,” said Mr Nyathi.Mr Nyathi said it was not the Makwe community alone which wasfacing challenges in terms of the day to day running of the projects.He said other affected projects were Silalatshani in Insiza, Agricultural and Rural DevelopmentAuthority (ARDA) Out Growers and Valley in Matobo district.
Posted on: Wed, 05 Mar 2014 08:52:52 +0000