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Leonard Ncube in BINGA
GOVERNMENT has fully embraced devolution, which is seen as critical in driving economic transformation through participation by all citizens, who should benefit from natural resources in their areas, Vice President Kembo Mohadi said yesterday.
Commissioning the Binga Community Craft Centre at Binga Centre, VP Mohadi challenged citizens to be involved in the implementation of developmental programmes.
The craft centre was established in the early 1980s by the Binga Rural District Council as an initiative to capacitate women through self-help projects.
At some point, it had close to 10 000 members who included men and women who did wood works and basketry under the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
Membership had dropped to less than 1 000 a few years ago, resulting in the Government moving in last year to renovate the facility.
“I am greatly honoured to officiate at this Binga Craft Centre that went through renovation recently,” said VP Mohadi.
“Work was carried out through able participation of many stakeholders under the auspices of Women’s Affairs (ministry), Binga Rural District Council, Zimbabwe Defence Forces and beneficiaries themselves.
“This is a clear demonstration of partnerships which are not only a cornerstone of our development, but also of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 17.
“Government has fully embraced the devolution of power policy as a prime driver of economic development, hence I want to call upon other communities in Zimbabwe to emulate this programme, identify projects and pull resources together to generate income for improvement of their livelihoods.”
VP Mohadi said the Second Republic’s thrust was to ensure that communities determine their future and benefit from natural resources towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
He said Zimbabwe was richly-endowed with natural resources and cultures, which if well crafted and marketed, can bring foreign currency.
The craft centre tells the culturally rich story of Binga, a community whose development was derailed by colonialists who displaced them from Kasambabezi River (Zambezi), in which they had a symbolic attachment.
Effects of the displacement have remained as the Binga community remains bitter and feels marginalised.
VP Mohadi challenged all citizens to participate in developmental projects and to be vigilant and guard against corrupt tendencies.
“Soon after the resounding 2018 harmonised elections, our listening President Mnangagwa’s Government had already started instituting measures through participatory and inclusive processes of development,” he said.
“Through this, we are able to deepen our democracy, promote development, improve service delivery, promote unity and peace while recognising diversity.
“As we implement devolution, some will seek to further their own agendas, thereby ensuring inequitable distribution and sharing of resources is disturbed. Let’s remain vigilant as some will want to reap where they didn’t sow.”
VP Mohadi said as devolution was being implemented, cases of corruption were bound to increase, hence the needed for citizens to be involved in the process to curtail such tendencies.
The people of Binga were called upon to be part of the development narrative for the tourism district and to help each other to market their craft ware and culture.
VP Mohadi said Binga, which is described as a sleeping giant due to its resources which have not been exploited, should use its resources to develop.
He called for smart partnerships since communities have capacity to sustain themselves and contribute to development.
Women’s Affairs Minister Sithembiso Nyoni called upon the Binga community to train youths in their culture so as to preserve the rich Tonga tradition.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Richard Moyo said the project was a clear testimony that Zimbabwe was on course to achieve an upper middle income economy by 2030.
Also present was Minister of State in VP Mohadi’s Office Davis Marapira, Women’s Affairs deputy minister Jennifer Mhlanga, Chiefs Siansali, Siabuwa and Siachilaba, service chiefs and senior Government officials.
VP Mohadi will today visit Nsungwale in the same district to assess the situation facing villagers who were affected by flash floods last month.
Online Reporter