Bulawayo reviews its economic projects

BULAWAYO’S developmental projects should be aligned towards the city’s Provincial Economic Development Plan (PEDP), a localised economic blueprint of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS 1) and should be subjected to periodic review as that would give indications of progress made in various projects being implemented, a senior official has said.

Bulawayo Metropolitan Province is taking stock of its localised NDS1 blueprint dubbed PEDP, a key process in gauging progress made and challenges encountered in implementing various projects.

The two-day process began yesterday under the theme “Realizing Vision 2030 through re-industrialisation and innovation.”

Bulawayo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Judith Ncube said periodic reviews of progress were essential to ensure the plan remained on track.

NDS-1 is the Government’s economic blueprint running from 2021 to 2025 and is anchored on devolution, decentralisation and prudent use of national resources for the benefit of all citizens.

It is the second step in the Second Republic’s thrust to attain an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and is a successor to the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.

This year marks the midpoint in the implementation of NDS1, the second of three successive Government national development plans aimed at achieving the country’s Vision of an Empowered and Prosperous Upper Middle-Income Society by 2030.

In her remarks read by Permanent Secretary for Provincial and Devolution for Bulawayo Mr Paul Nyoni, Minister Ncube said the objectives of the review is to track progress of projects in the PEDP, give feedback on all projects and programmes and to add funded programmes and projects that are on-going but were not included in the PEDP during consultations in 2021.

“Our Provincial Economic Development Plan (PEDP) was constructed in April 2021 under the theme ‘Realising vision 2030 through re-industrialisation and innovation.’ This is our localised National Development Strategy 1 which guides economic and social development of the province,” said Minister Ncube. “All stakeholders including the private sector as well as churches and civic organisations should have their programmes and projects aligned to and tracked by NDS1.

“The Province’s projects and programmes should be aligned to the PEDP because the document is our local NSD1. It is therefore important that we periodically review this strategic document.”

Minister Ncube said vast consultations with ministries, departments, agencies, private sector, faith based organisations and residents associations were done in crafting the PEDP.

The province PEDP has seven thematic areas that include economic growth, infrastructure, housing and utilities, ICT growth and development, social development, Youth, sport art recreation and gender mainstreaming, Environment protection and natural resource management, governance, devolution and decentralisation.

“The thematic areas are a reflection of the 14 in the NDS1. As the implementing arm of the provincial economic plan, the work of the thematic groups is crucial in progressing and achieving Provincial development towards vision 2023,” she added.

During the meeting, Bulawayo City Council economic development officer Mr Kholisani Moyo noted that it is critical for the city to have a structured sectorial approach towards reviving the manufacturing sector.

“As a city, I think it is important for us to have a structured approach towards reviving industries in the city. Let’s identify key sectors that will drive Bulawayo going forward.

“For instance, in the manufacturing sector, we can identify the clothing industry, and delve into its value chain and access its worth, availability of resources and product markets,” said Mr Moyo.

He said that having targeted sectors, it would aid in identifying retooling components needed.

“Once such sectors are identified, it would be easy to plan for the next five years.”

Responding to concerns that most companies were using their own financial resources to retool, Bulawayo provincial director for economic development, Mr Simon Saunyama said there is a need to appreciate that the Government’s role is to create a conducive environment for the private sector to operate, and the Second Republic has made strides in that.

“We need to appreciate the Government’s role in creating an enabling environment for the private sector to operate. NDS-1 is a private sector drive and the sector should actively take on opportunities presented by the Government.”