adminTawanda Mangoma in Chiredzi
Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chair Cde Ezra Chadzamira has hailed President Mnangagwa’s drive to devolve economic power to provinces, saying the move will expedite socio-economic transformation for the benefit of all citizens.
Cde Chadzamira said devolution would engender socio-economic development to the majority of the people as provinces would be able to determine their own developmental priorities.
Addressing hundreds of Zanu-PF supporters during a ruling party inter-district meeting here last week, Cde Chadzamira said Masvingo was arguably the country’s richest province owing to abundant natural resources that could be exploited.
He said devolving economic power to provinces would speed up socio-economic development and uplift the lives of previously marginalised communities.
“We have come to the end of the election season and we are now focusing on developing the country through the utilisation of available resources,” said Cde Chadzamira.
“The most important thing, which we must thank President Mnangagwa for, is the devolution of power.
“Wealth generated from Masvingo will now be utilised towards the benefit of people in this province. As for us, we are happy that our province is rich compared to other provinces in the country and we expect the lives of our people to be transformed after the advent of devolution.”
Cde Chadzamira said the sluggish pace of socio-economic development would change for the better after devolution, as local resources would be used to develop Masvingo.
“Our wealth was financing development of other provinces at our province’s expense and our people remained largely poor,” he said.
“Now that President Mnangagwa has addressed this, we must shine. The President has championed a policy that will see more people from Masvingo coming out of the poverty net.
“Masvingo will never be the same again, this will never be a province associated with poverty and hunger, but a new era of opportunity beckons for Masvingo, which is endowed with mineral riches and fertile agricultural land supported by several dams that can be tapped for irrigation.”
Cde Chadzamira said the completion of the Tugwi-Mukosi Dam master plan would pave way for development of irrigation on land covering 29 000 hectares, downstream of the reservoir in southern Chivi, Chiredzi and Mwenezi.
“We are done with politics, we won the just-ended elections resoundingly due to your support and it’s time for us to deliver on the promises which we made,” he said.
“More projects will be rolled out so that every Zimbabwean enjoys the leadership of President Mnangagwa. We will continue with the land reform programme, nothing will stop us to give five hectares of irrigable land to the people when 29 000ha are opened for irrigation using Tugwi-Mukosi Dam water.”
Cde Chadzamira challenged party supporters to stop canvassing for district and provincial posts as the party will maintain the prevailing structures.
“We have heard reports of some who are already canvassing for posts in the provincial executive and DCCs (District Co-ordination Committees),” he said.
Masvingo boasts vast irrigation potential thanks to several underutilised dams and perennially flowing river systems that can be harnessed to create perennial greenbelts.
The province is also home to a strong wildlife base, particularly in the south-east Lowveld in areas like Gonarezhou National Park, Save Valley Conservancy, among other world-acclaimed habitats.
Online Reporter