Government urged to expedite completion of capital projects in Matabeleland North

ZANU-PF Matabeleland North province has recommended that the Government should prioritise construction of major infrastructure development projects such as Lake Gwayi-Shangani and major roads as they are enablers for economic growth and sustainable development.

Matabeleland North held its inter-district meeting on Sunday in Lupane where it came up with resolutions to be tabled during the Annual National People’s Conference to be held in Bulawayo on October 22 to 27.

The provincial resolutions are in sync with party’s agenda after national chairperson, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, outlined that the conference will mainly tackle economic development issues.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial chairman, Cde Richard Moyo, who is also Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said a lot of projects that have not been completed need urgent attention to unlock the province’s economic potential.

He said their resolutions buttress Government programmes whose implementation needs to be heightened to transform lives of ordinary citizens in the province.

“Cherishing the Government’s agriculture and food policies that will see the country regain its status as bread basket of the region, the province resolved that; that the Government speeds up completion of Lake Gwayi-Shangani in order to enhance food security and provision of potable water,” said Cde Moyo.

“We also resolved that Command Livestock programmes empower those with nothing in order to improve lives of the poor rural communities and that the Government promotes cattle ranching in order to strengthen restocking programmes.”

Cde Moyo said considering the Government policy of establishing 200 hectare irrigable land in every administrative district, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North resolved that the Government should build more water bodies in the province.

“The province resolved that Ziminya Dam construction in Nkayi District be speeded up, Nanda and Nshaba Dams in Tsholotsho be constructed, that the provision of a borehole in every village through Presidential Borehole drilling scheme be speeded up,” he said.

Cde Moyo also said the Government must fast track the issuance of the 99-year leases to land reform beneficiaries for the security of tenure.

Further, the province resolved that the Government should fast-track the construction of major roads in Matabeleland North as they are an enabler of economic productivity.

“We resolved that the Government speeds up the completion of the major roads linking the districts to major cities, which are: Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, which has outlived its life span, Plumtree–Tsholotsho-Siphepha-Lupane Road, Victoria Falls-Deka Drum-Binga-Siyabuwa Road, Lupane-Nkayi-Kwekwe Road, Bulawayo-Nkayi-Gokwe toad and Binga-Siabuwa-Karoi Road,” said Cde Moyo.

He said there is an urgent need to upgrade roads leading to heritage sites including the Pupu Battlefield Memorial Site, which President Mnangagwa commissioned earlier this year.

Cde Moyo said the province noted concerns over provision of social amenities and put it among the resolutions to be tabled before the national conference for consideration.

“We are going to table that the Government establishes a secondary teacher training school in Matabeleland North to enhance inclusive teacher training programmes and that the Government speeds up the registration of the satellite schools,” he said.

“We have a high level of teacher turnover, especially in Binga District and we need to minimise it through recruitment of more local teachers who are conversant with the local environment,” said Cde Moyo.

He said the province also resolved that the Government should adequately supply all health facilities with basic medicines, particularly for chronic illnesses.

The need for the Government to fast-track the construction of the Lupane Provincial Hospital while calling for the upgrade of several other medical centres in Matabeleland North also came under spotlight.

“We resolved that Hwange District Hospital be operationalised and that all district hospitals be adequately equipped including with reliable ambulances,” he said.

Cde Moyo said the province also resolved that Tsholotsho School of Nursing be upgraded to allow for increased intake as only 20 students are enrolled at the moment.

He said to equip young people with skills there is a need to establish vocational training centres in Lupane and Tsholotsho while the Government should also set up a school of hospitality in Victoria Falls.

Cde Moyo said the province also resolved that the Rural Electrification Agency be adequately equipped to accelerate rural electrification.

“We also resolved that the Government revive the National Railways of Zimbabwe to decongest the national highways of haulage trucks, which have contributed to increased road traffic accidents.

“There is also a call to expedite the construction of the Binga-Zambia Border Post in order to allow movement of goods and services across the river,” he said. — @nqotshili