THE MDC-T-led Binga Rural District Council (RDC) has proposed a $4 million budget for 2014 to embark on capital projects with the major one being the tarring of the Siabuwa–Kariba Road to make the district easily accessible in a bid to boost tourism in the area.
RICHARD MUPONDE SENIOR REPORTER
The budget would be unveiled at a full council meeting today where recommendations would also be made on how to implement programmes lined up for next year.
The government declared Binga as one of the international tourism destinations and the Tourism and Hospitality Industry ministry has gone into overdrive to market the district internationally.
The district is endowed with beaches since it is on the shores of the mighty Zambezi River, hot springs and wildlife which include the Big Five.
The RDC chairperson Dube Munkombwe told Southern Eye on the sidelines of the Livelihood Symposium and Donor Conference for the Western region held in Bulawayo on Wednesday that there was an urgent need to develop Binga by making it accessible to the outside world for the benefit of the local community.
“The Siabuwa-Kariba Road will make Binga accessible for business, especially kapenta (fishing), maize trading in Gokwe and tourists who would want to visit our resort areas. It’s also the shortest way from Harare to Victoria Falls,” Munkombwe said.
He also said his RDC was pushing for the completion of the Namafulo border post between Zimbabwe and Zambia to increase trade between the two countries.
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“Zambia has progressed well and has finished its side of the border. On the Zimbabwean side, we have accommodation and everything and what we only have left with is to complete the border post. The border will also see an influx of tourists into Zimbabwe coming by river,” he said.
Munkombwe said they would also push the government to set up a nursing school at Binga District Hospital.
He revealed that other short-term projects lined up by his council include upgrading Binga, improving refuse collection and constructing roads in the high-density and low density residential areas, among others.
For the long term, Munkombwe said his RDC intended buying a fire tender as well as refuse collection vehicles.
The Binga RDC comprises 23 MDC-T councillors and two from the ruling Zanu PF.
