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The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Mpumalanga premier warns against interruption of government projects
The Mpumalanga premier, Mandla Ndlovu, has warned against the interruption of government projects at the Mthethomusha Nature Reserve near the Mpakeni Settlement. This as the government is spending R4m on infrastructure upgrades and R10m on drilling and the installation of water ponds there. The projects are under threat as the Ward 24 councillor, Mandla Siboza, and members of the local Traditional Council were intimidated by suspected syndicates, who demand a share in the projects. Siboza was attacked at his home in Daantjie (Oggo Section) near the nature reserve on May 31 at around 02:00. His house and vehicle were fired at with high-calibre firearms and he later told Lowvelder Express that he believed that the attack was a warning against his involvement in the projects at the nature reserve. ALSO READ: Bail for seven in Lydenburg shoot-out case Siboza's belief was echoed by the Office of the Premier when calling for the government projects to continue without interference. 'Any interruption of government projects will not be tolerated,' warned Ndlovu. He said the project was designed to provide water to wild animals and to upgrade infrastructure, to prevent them from crossing into local villages and farms. 'The project is under threat as a local councillor and members of the Traditional Authority are intimidated to accede to the demands of people who want a share,' added Ndlovu. He has so far met with the security cluster, led by the MEC for community safety, security and liaison, Jackie Macie, and the acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, in Mbombela on Tuesday, June 3. The MEC for economic development and tourism, Makhosazana Masilela, and other senior government officials also attended the meeting. 'Perpetrators of these threats must be arrested to face the full might of the law. The victims must lay criminal charges for police investigation,' said Ndlovu. He added that the Mthethomusha project would benefit communities living on the edges of the reserve, through job creation and contract opportunities. 'The project will provide water for elephants that break out of the nature reserve in search of the natural resources outside,' said Ndlovu. The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has confirmed that the projects at Mthethomusha were ongoing. 'R4m is being spent on infrastructure that includes the building's renovation and entrance gate, while R10m is for the bulk water and resuscitation of water ponds for the animals,' said the MTPA's spokesperson, Simphiwe Shungube. Police investigators have so far met with Siboza on several occasions in order to connect the dots after this publication had reported about his belief that his attack was related to the projects at the nature reserve. No arrest has been made in connection with the shooting at Siboza's home thus far. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hans India
22-04-2025
- General
- Hans India
Retired Armyman inspires youth, earns good money through fish farming in Saharsa
Saharsa (Bihar): Life after the Army took a transformative turn for Vikas Kumar Mishra, a retired soldier from Saharsa, who is now scripting a remarkable success story in fish farming. With an annual income exceeding Rs 5 lakh, Mishra has become an inspiration for countless youths in Bihar seeking self-reliance through agriculture. A resident of Ward 24 under Saharsa Municipal Corporation, Mishra served the Indian Army with distinction for 17 years, enlisting in 2001 and retiring in 2018. Post-retirement, he decided to return to his roots—his ancestral land—and began cultivating not just crops, but hope. Motivated by memories of his late father, a teacher who also farmed after retirement, Mishra turned their family land into a thriving centre of agricultural innovation. He utilised the Jal Sanchay Yojana under the Jal Jeevan Hariyali Abhiyan to construct a pond and further benefited from Rs 3.5 lakh in government aid through the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) to launch his fish farming venture. On just one bigha of land, Mishra now produces over 25 quintals of fish annually. His pond teems with species like Alankari, Kabai, Katla, Rehu, and Singhi—sourced from West Bengal—and nurtured using eco-friendly bioplank technology. To enhance his expertise, Mishra underwent six months of specialised training in Kishanganj and Mumbai. Around his pond, he has also planted fruit trees—mango, guava, and litchi—that provide an additional stream of income. "With the right training and proper use of government schemes, our youth can become job creators, not job seekers," Mishra told IANS. His journey from soldier to sustainable farmer exemplifies the spirit of resilience and innovation. Today, Vikas Mishra stands as a beacon of possibility—not only for Saharsa but for aspiring entrepreneurs across Bihar. Several schemes aim to support farming in India. Key schemes include the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) for direct income support, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for crop insurance, and the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for irrigation. Other important schemes are the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), the National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF), and the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
