Vusumuzi Dube
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Midlands Province which is endowed with rich mineral deposits has been the biggest beneficiary of projects implemented by the Second Republic in the last five years with 791 of them complete out of a total of 1083.
The projects implemented by the Second Republic are already benefiting a population of 1,8 million in the province’s eight districts that include Chirumhanzu, Gokwe North, Gokwe South, Zibagwe, Mberengwa, Tongogara (Shurugwi), Runde and Gweru. According to a compendium of achievements released by Government, the total number of completed projects stood at 791 while 292 are ongoing out of the 1083 total projects.
In an interview with Sunday News, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in the Midlands Province, Cde Larry Mavima, attributed the success to the proper implementation of devolution and a focus on development by the Second Republic.
“Well, it is not that we were favoured or anything to have such a number of completed projects as a province. I think we should attribute it to the proper people-oriented implementation of the devolution agenda driven by the Second Republic. Devolution funds were responsible for most of the projects we implemented.
“Devolution has brought a lot of improvements that eased people’s lives. Projects succeeded because we did what people wanted. Through consultations we managed to understand what projects people really wanted. You might observe that authorities can build vending bays without consultation and people choose not to utilise them, but when you consult them, a project tends to be successful,” said Cde Mavima.
He said the monitoring of the projects to ensure authorities release funds on time as well as forming effective and inclusive project implementation teams were some of the main ingredients to having a successful implementation of the projects.
Midlands Province is home to the greater part of the Great Dyke — a mineral belt and as seen most of the signature projects being inspired by mining. The province is endowed with high value minerals which include, gold, platinum, diamonds, iron ore, nickel and chrome.
Investment in the mining sector has seen the setting up of signature projects in the province with Dinson Iron and Steel Company and JINAN Chrome Smelter having been established. Unki Mine, RZM Murowa Diamonds were also expanded, while Mimosa and Zimasco were resuscitated.
Minister Mavima said although the province was rich in mining, it was also stretching its sights to other sectors of the economy such as agriculture. He said investors in the mining sector have been pivotal in ensuring various Government projects were completed.
“We have seen massive attraction of investors into the province. This has been driven by the ease of doing business as well as various resources that we boast of as a province. Yes, we might be big in mining but you will also note that we are the largest producer of cotton in the country. We are among the top dairy producers.
Actually, we might not be the best in terms of livestock but we are doing well with downstream production like the leather industry as we host Bata Shoe Factory,” said Mavima.
The thrust of the Second Republic on the provision of convenient learning environment saw a total of 117 schools being renovated, expanded and established in the Midlands Province. The schools include Neta Secondary School, Budiriro, Nyamuroro, Nyaradza and Zhaugwe Primary Schools which are some of the new model schools. The initiative contributed towards the national target of 12 000 state-of-the-art schools by 2030.
Roads, bridges, women empowerment and provision of Information and Communications Technology were some of the projects that were implemented by the Second Republic in the province.
“The Second Republic continued to embark on the replacement, repair and maintenance of feeder roads and bridges that connect provinces and communities to ensure easy flow of socio- economic activities. One such initiative is the construction of Gunguhwe Bridge which links Gokwe South and Gokwe North as well as Midlands with Mashonaland West Province.
“The importance of women in national development also found expression in the Second Republic where in Gweru, women projects on clothing are transforming families thereby impacting on socio-economic growth.
The Second Republic has also put in place initiatives to close the digital divide in the education sector. Rural schools are being equipped with ICT gadgets and communities are being connected ensuring that no one and no place is left behind,” reads the compendium of projects by the Second Republic.
Minister Mavima said these projects have gone a long way in improving the livelihoods of people in the province through creating employment as well as relieving Government from responsibility of aiding the vulnerable.
“We have companies coming up in the mining sector and other various sectors which saw the employment of thousands of people. Employment empowers people as they are now able to build and develop their lives,” he said.
According to the Compendium of Projects released by the Government, Midlands Province has the most number of completed projects in the country with Manicaland and Mashonaland East Provinces following on second and third respectively. @nyeve14
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