Andrew
Sunday Mail Reporter
Independence Day celebrations held in Bulawayo last week blazed a trail, while the country’s second-largest city was set to restore its status as an industrial hub owing to the Second Republic’s policies that leave no one and no place behind.
Writing in his weekly column in The Sunday Mail this week, President Mnangagwa said the holding of this year’s Independence Day celebrations in Bulawayo captures the Constitutional expectation to decentralise and devolve management of national affairs.
He said due to Government interventions, Bulawayo’s future was growing more secure by the day.
The President said there were a number of projects in place to restore Bulawayo’s status as the country’s industrial hub, including the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Lake.
Increased power supply from Hwange Unit 7, revival of the Cold Storage Company (CSC) and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) as well as revitalisation of several other industries in Bulawayo will boost the second largest city.
“The Government is chasing a very tight time-line to ensure Bulawayo’s thirst is permanently slacked by end of this year,” he said.
“Gwayi-Shangani Lake is on course to completion. Work on the over 270-kilometre pipeline which is set to deliver abundant water to Bulawayo City has begun.
“Once done, the pipeline will green several agricultural projects along the way. With insights on the thermal gas power station I got from my recent State visit to Mozambique, the same pipeline will help actualise our plans to exploit Lupane Gas Fields.”
President Mnangagwa said the power supply situation in Bulawayo would improve due to rehabilitation works being done at Hwange Power Station.
“The power line connecting Hwange 7 and 8 to the main station at Insukamini is near completion,” he said.
“Before year-end, the first Unit — Hwange 7 — will come online, thus boosting our national power supply. Aged Thermal Units in Bulawayo are set to be revamped and upgraded, thanks to a loan the Government secured from India.
“With secure water and power supply, Bulawayo can now unleash its energies, thus reinstating its coveted status as our country’s industrial hub.”
His Excellency said he was happy to note that most of the industries in Bulawayo that were closed when he visited the city last year were now open.
“They have now reopened, presaging the return of industrial confidence through which we reassert our pole position as a manufacturing nation, north of the Limpopo,” he said.
“I am happy that the CSC, is slowly but surely being rebuilt.
“It is a key enterprise which drives Bulawayo’s overall recovery. A buoyant CSC must lead in re-establishing our status as a global supplier of quality, tasty beef. Markets for Zimbabwean beef are abundant and insatiable.”
The President said the revival of the NRZ was another key component in turning around Bulawayo’s fortunes.
“I am aware that National Railways of Zimbabwe, NRZ, is head-quartered here,” he said.
“Again I paid a visit to it, with a view to assessing its needs for a full recovery. I am happy that the roadmap for the recovery of NRZ is now clearer.
“A partner has now been secured. As with the rest of the country, Bulawayo needs an efficient railway system to integrate our economy and to connect us to key ports for inbound and outbound economic activities.”
President Mnangagwa said the Uhuru celebrations marked a new tradition and trajectory in the way the nation hosts and handles national events.
“We broke with the long-established tradition where all national events and commemorations were held in Harare, the capital city,” he said.
“For the first time since our Independence, Bulawayo Province and City hosted our National Day, thus blazing a new trail and tradition where from now on, all provinces take turns to host national events and commemorations.”
The Head of State praised Bulawayo province for ensuring that the event progressed without a single glitch.
“Together with the First Lady and our family, my three days in the City of Kings and Queens were eventful. We relished every moment of our stay, as I am sure did sample delegates drawn from all provinces of our country.”
Online Reporter