Harare — TEN local authorities from across the country yesterday received fire engines sourced by the Fire Fighters' Association of Japan.

The trucks were handed over to the local authorities by the Acting Local Government Minister Kembo Mohadi. He said the donation was pursuant to a deal struck in 2007 between Zimbabwe and Japan.

Minister Mohadi said Zimbabwe would receive 50 fire engines from Japan over the next five years. The first batch arrived in 2007 and another was expected early next year.

"This scheme is a five-year rollout project through which the country will receive 50 vehicles donated by the Japanese Fire Fighters' Association. "The Japanese have undertaken to send them in batches of 10 every year.

"After that, they will donate ambulances to improve service delivery in our local authorities," he said.

Minister Mohadi challenged the benefiting local authorities to put the vehicles to good use. Mutare, Masvingo, Plumtree, Pfura, Hwange, Mutoko, Gokwe, Chikomba, Chipinge and Karoi benefitted from the current batch.

Minister Mohadi said in allocating the fire engines they had prioritised councils located along major highways and entry points across the country.

"It is not a secret that the country faces a harsh economic climate occasioned by, among other things, the illegal sanctions imposed by our detractors.

"We have not adopted a fatalistic resignation attitude but have rather taken the bull by its horns.

"Through a joint effort, the Civil Protection Unit and our Embassy in Japan approached the Japanese benefactor resulting in the birth of this project whose fruits we are witnessing today," he said.

Those who have already benefited from the scheme are Beitbridge, Gwanda, Victoria Falls, Rusape, Bindura, Chinhoyi, Kariba, Marondera, Chiredzi and Kwekwe.

Minister Mohadi said Government would continue working with its partners to improve service delivery by local authorities.