adminKennedy Mavhumashava in Chinhoyi
Delegates to the ongoing 14th Zanu-PF National People’s Conference started arriving here yesterday, hopeful that the annual event would come up with resolutions to support Zim Asset to revive the economy and consolidate party unity.
The conference started on Monday and ends tomorrow.
President Mugabe addressed the Central Committee at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) Great Hall yesterday. He will officially open the five-day event today and close it tomorrow.
Politburo member and Minister of Provincial Affairs for Matabeleland North, Cde Cain Mathema said Zim Asset, the five year economic blueprint adopted by the party recently, must be supported.
His province, he said was interested in clusters and projects mentioned as priorities in the economic plan.
“We hope this conference will get us going in terms of meeting the promises President Mugabe and the party made. For Matabeleland North, we have some projects that are in Zim Asset like Gwayi-Shangani Dam, Lupane-Nkayi Road and Lupane State University. We want those to succeed. We want Lupane to be a university city, where all development must be around the university.”
Cde Patrick Hove, a Central Committee member from Matabeleland South said the theme for this year, “Zim Asset: Growing the Economy for Empowerment and Employment” was crucial in the national quest to resuscitating the economy.
He said: “We are looking forward to getting very good results from this conference,” he said.
“The theme captures what we hope for, to turn around the economy. As you know we are under sanctions, so we have to use our own resources to develop the economy. Foreign investment is good but we want to develop local capacity.”
Chinhoyi, the Mashonaland West provincial capital was bustling with activity yesterday as Zanu-PF cadres dressed in party regalia started arriving from various provinces.
A group of youths from the host province, working with the party’s department of environment and tourism, marched through the town to raise awareness on the importance of the environment.
Cde Kennedy Matimba, another Central Committee member and MP for Bikita East in Masvingo said he was looking forward to a resolution to support the implementation of Zim Asset.
“As MPs we feel that Zim Asset can help us in terms of delivering on the promises we made ahead of July 31,” he said.
“It is a good document, which we must, as a party ensure the Government implements. That is the challenge, but with the commitment we have, it will boost the economy. We must ensure that we achieve the promises we made during the campaign and delivery starts now. July 31 was peaceful and we got the resounding victory we deserved, now it is pay-back time for our people.”
Cde Vincent Mawere, Zaka West MP said he hoped for discussions on how to revive the agriculture sector.
Cde Elijah Chipotereke of Chinhoyi said Mashonaland West province is honoured to be chosen to host the conference. He also urged the party to fulfil the promises it made, particularly in providing assistance to the agriculture sector.
Companies exhibiting at the Chinhoyi Business Expo that is running concurrently with the conference, expressed hope that they would clinch deals.
Exhibitors at the exposition include Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, Marange Resources, POSB, Forestry Commission, Air Zimbabwe, Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company, Seed-Co and Pannar.
Mr Trust Muzozviona, Seed-Co sales agronomist said they were giving information on various seed varieties and areas where they can be grown optimally and the times to plant them.
Meanwhile, President Mugabe is expected to plant a mutsamvi (ficus engine) tree today. He was expected to do that yesterday, but the event was moved as he had other commitments elsewhere.
Online Reporter