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Cletus Mushanawani Mash Central Bureau Chief
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement Minister Perrance Shiri on Monday read the riot act to all stakeholders tasked with spearheading the transformation of Kanyemba into a town, saying their lethargy will derail Government’s efforts to have a middle class income economy by 2030.
Minister Shiri, who led a delegation of permanent secretaries, among them Deputy Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Mr Justin Mupamhanga, Engineer Gloria Magombo (Energy and Power Development), Mr Ringson Chitsiko (Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement) and Mrs Tumisang Thabela (Primary and Secondary Education) on a tour of projects in Kanyemba, called for redoubling of efforts by all stakeholders, including the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central and Devolution Monica Mavhunga.
“Much more still needs to be done here. We have taken a bit long to come back here to monitor progress, and this has caused lethargy among those tasked to spearhead the development of this area into a town.
“From now onwards, we will be constantly coming back.
“Many areas besides Kanyemba need development, but if we move at the pace being demonstrated here, we won’t meet the target of being a middle class income economy by 2030.”
He added: “I also want to encourage the Minister of State here (Minister Mavhunga) and provincial development coordinator (Mr Cosmas Chiringa) to also closely supervise progress here. They should raise alarm if there is no headway on the projects.
“We should not wait for public gatherings like this to present our challenges for our attention.”
“We should redouble our efforts and demonstrate that we are worth our salt.”
Minister Shiri’s comments come after the realisation that most of the Government arms tasked with different projects were moving at a snail’s pace, with the Transport Ministry being the major culprit as the 69km stretch from Angwa to Kanyemba is just a nightmare for any motorist as it is heavily corrugated.
The road needs serious attention and potential investors are failing to access the area for assessment because of the poor state of roads.
“I am being told here that work on the road here has since stopped. This is not acceptable and we cannot continue having excuses of breakdown of equipment.
“Kanyemba is a special project which deserves seriousness. The responsible department should ensure that it deploys efficient machinery here to minimise on time being taken attending to breakdowns.
“Problematic equipment should be seconded to areas near towns, not in remote parts of the country like this,” he said.
Minister Shiri was also not amused by the time being taken to complete the construction of Mariga Primary School, which is being stalled by haggling between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the contractor.
Since the laying of the foundation stone on September 23, 2016, no single structure has been completed at the school which enrols 320 learners.
He said a meeting should be hastily arranged between the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to ensure that the contractor resumes operations in the shortest possible time.
Minister Shiri also called for co-ordination among all Government departments.
Mr Mupamhanga said all projects should have specific timelines.
Online Reporter