Online Reporter
Government this year allocated a lot of resources to youths, women and war veterans under its empowerment schemes and the nation therefore expects to start enjoying the benefits next year.
A total of US$10 million was allocated to youths in agriculture, US$5 million went to youths involved in mining while the remaining US$2 million was used as seed money to start a revolving fund giving a total of US$17 million availed to youths during the year.
President Mnangagwa also handed over 72 tractors, 10 combine harvesters, 10 vehicles, 10 borehole drilling rigs, tipper trucks and front-end loaders to be shared by youths from the country’s 10 provinces.
War veterans were also provided with tractors and other farming equipment. A US$2 million Presidential War Veterans Empowerment Revolving Fund meant to provide loans to war veterans and their dependents was launched.
President Mnangagwa has urged beneficiaries of these empowerment schemes to produce tangible outcomes that change their livelihoods and impact their communities positively.
We have already alluded to the fact that the nation is expecting to start enjoying the fruits of these empowerment schemes in a few months to come.
What this means is that the beneficiaries of these schemes should ensure the resources availed to them have been put to good use.
Government has been using public resources to empower the various groups which have an obligation to produce for the nation’s benefit.
Government, we want to believe, has put in place mechanisms to monitor and assist the beneficiaries of the empowerment schemes to ensure these public resources are used for their intended purpose.
The various groups that have been empowered should put shoulder to the wheel so that they derive maximum benefits from the availed resources and equipment.
We expect increased production from youths in mining given the machinery and equipment availed to them this year which include tippers and front-end loaders.
War veterans on their part should lead in food production to enhance the country’s food security now that they have been mechanised. Government should not hesitate to withdraw machinery and equipment from empowered groups that fail to fully utilise the availed resources.
