adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THE Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Cde Sithembiso Nyoni has urged the private sector to help fulfil Zim-Asset objectives by spearheading income generating projects to develop rural communities. Addressing representatives from different government departments and non-governmental organisations during a development progress report meeting in Nkayi on Monday, Minister Nyoni, who is also Nkayi North National Assembly member said developmental issues must not be left to the government alone.
The meeting was meant to assess the challenges faced by the district and discuss possible ways of improving people’s livelihoods.
Minister Nyoni said Nkayi District, which is in Matabeleland North province was one of the least developed districts in the country.
“Money should be generated by the private sector not the government. Let’s not expect the government to provide funding all the time to develop our communities. Our major resource base in Matabeleland North is livestock. Let’s invest in livestock and generate income that will circulate in our communities,” said Minister Nyoni.
“Nkayi District is lagging behind as far as development is concerned and this is worrying me. It is upon us the people from this area to come up with strategies to develop our community. We want to go sector by sector, starting with education and see how we can improve the lives of the people here.”
Minister Nyoni said it was unfortunate that the private sector was not creating jobs in the district, forcing youths to search for jobs in neighbouring countries.
“We’ve to help ourselves out of this situation. It’s sad that young men and women have no choice but to leave their community and search for jobs elsewhere because there are no jobs created for them in the community. They’ve no money to start their own businesses,” added the minister.
Nkayi District Administrator Mandlamakhulu Moyo said they were facing serious challenges in developing the district because of limited resources.
“This is purely a communal area with no mines to generate money for the communities. We only have livestock, which is also limited,” said Moyo.
“I’m happy to mention that we’re getting assistance from non-governmental organisations to address the water problems but we’ve serious food shortage due to poor rains. The roads are dilapidated and most of the bridges have been washed away by the rains. The schools and the clinics are inadequate.”
He said Nkayi District Hospital has been operating without a mortuary for a long time.
The district has 85 primary schools and 28 secondary schools, including one boarding school. The schools have a serious shortage of Science, Maths and technical and vocational teachers.
Minister Nyoni, however, commended headmasters for their efforts in improving infrastructure and the pass rates at their schools, despite challenges they were facing.
Online Reporter