adminHerald Reporter
Chivi District will tomorrow set the tone on the localisation of Government’s economic blueprint, Zim-Asset, when investors and other stakeholders meet for a one-day conference to discuss the implementation of projects under the programme.
The conference — to be attended by Government officials, investors, the business community, politicians, chiefs, councillors and members of the public — is expected to bring a new development impetus for the semi-arid district.
Chivi Rural District Council is organising the conference, which is expected to attract hundreds of participants under the theme: “Developing Chivi in line with Zim-Asset”.
Chivi RDC chairperson Cde Killer Zivhu yesterday said all was set for the mega conference, with logistics already in place to cater for a huge turn out.
“We have invited people from across all sectors, especially those with an interest in the development of Chivi,” he said.
“We are opening up our district for investment and we are saying all are welcome to take up opportunities that are available in the district.
“In doing that we expect people from the Chivi community to emerge as the ultimate beneficiaries from the envisaged investment deals, be it through partnerships or through employment.”
Cde Zivhu said the imminent completion of the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam would open up more investment opportunities in the district.
“We are talking about a major dam which will be the largest inland body of water in the country,” he said.
“Our agriculture will never be the same again and for the first time we will be boasting of a whole district being brought together by the eco-tourism opportunities that will abound because of this dam.
“We do not want to be caught napping and this is why we are inviting potential investors to alert them to this beautiful thing that is about to change our lives forever.”
Cde Zivhu said the conference would urge stakeholders to shift their attention to implementation of projects.
The projects to be discussed will be in infrastructural development which include the rehabilitation of roads, schools, dam walls, clinics and boreholes.
Apart from the rehabilitation programmes, ways would be discussed to establish new infrastructure through drilling new boreholes, building new dam walls, facilitating irrigation schemes, developing new roads and constructing new schools and clinics.
There will be an exchange of ideas at the conference on how best to harness local resources and implement a positive development plan to provide not only jobs, but improve the district’s infrastructure.
The conference will set an example for other districts to harness their local resources in the implementation of Zim-Asset.
Online Reporter