Mat South PDC meets

Marvelous Moyo Gwanda Correspondent
THE Minister of State responsible for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs, Cde Abedinico Ncube, has called for unity of purpose in the development of the province. Speaking during a well-attended extraordinary Provincial Development Committee (PDC) meeting in Gwanda Town on Monday, Cde Ncube said civil servants from the different Government departments should put aside politics, unite and focus on development of the province in line with Zanu-PF’s election manifesto.

“It’s time to put politics aside and engage in developmental issues, working together as one. We should see ourselves as one people and build our province. We belong to one family which is the Government. In Zimbabwe we have a number of political parties but when it comes to development issues, let us work collectively so that we come up with solutions to our problems,” he said.

Cde Ncube said those in positions of authority but belonged to opposition parties must ensure that they “take off their political jackets” and pull together with the ruling party, Zanu-PF, which he said was committed to developing the country.”

“Asidonseni kanyekanye, singadonselani, singakhangelelani phansi, let’s not fight each other. There is no opposition in our work. As long as sibambene, sizatshaya indima enhle,” said Cde Ncube.

He said PDC members needed to consult each other.
Cde Ncube said the Government would soon introduce a performance appraisal system for its workers meant to improve efficiency.
“In the next five years we will see a lot of difference in terms of development,” he said.

Cde Ncube said the new Government would prioritise the completion of unfinished projects in the province.
The meeting was also attended by some non-governmental organisations.

Cde Ncube stressed the need for NGOs to stick to their core business of improving the livelihoods of communities and desist from meddling in politics.

“We are also appealing to NGOs to stick to their mandate and stop getting involved in politics because it is none of their business. If we get any report of an NGO that would have deviated from its line of operations, we will not hesitate to have them de-registered,” said Cde Ncube.

He applauded some NGOs such as World Vision for a job well done over the years in the province.
Cde Ncube said the Grain Marketing Board should also ensure it had adequate grain all the time as Government has made an undertaking that noone starves.

He said as the farming season was around the corner, the GMB should make sure that seed was available.
“We should also have small grain seed available at the GMB because due to the low rainfall, we are encouraging our farmers to grow small grains. We don’t want ukuthi kuhlale kuyindlala ndlala kokuphela,” he said.

Cde Ncube said concerted efforts would be made to see that stockfeed continued being available for livestock.
He said there was a need for the resuscitation of irrigation schemes to enhance food security.