Chronicle Editor
Midlands Bureau
THE Midlands Province continues to record milestone development strides, inspired by the bold and strategic policy decisions under the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa.
The opening up of the economy to potential investors through enhanced ease of doing business, as well as the engagement and re-engagement drive, has positively impacted on the province’s economy.
Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Owen Ncube, said this in Somabhula yesterday as he welcomed delegates, who witnessed the launch of three ICT policies by President Mnangagwa and the commissioning of the second phase of the Fibre Optic Backbone Network, spearheaded by a foreign investor Bandwidth and Cloud Services (BCS) Group Limited in Africa.
The three ICT policies are the Renewed National ICT Policy, the Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan and the National Broadband Plan.
“The Midlands Province, according to ZimStat, had the fastest Gross Domestic Product growth of 10,9 percent in 2022 underpinned by mining, agriculture and manufacturing,” said Minister Ncube.
“The giant US$1,5 billion, Dinson Iron and Steel Plant, remains a legacy investment endorsing your transformative policy direction to open up the economy to both domestic and foreign direct investment.”
He said important investments along the mineral-rich Great Dyke stretching from Kwekwe to Mberengwa via Zvishavane, have given a strong drive to the Midlands Provincial GDP growth projections for 2024 and beyond.
Minister Ncube said the livelihoods of both rural and urban communities have improved through the construction of schools, clinics, road and water infrastructure and purchase of road and refuse collection equipment by most local authorities through President Mnangagwa’s leadership.
“Furthermore, we appreciate provision of fire tenders to local authorities, air search and rescue ambulances that have strengthened civil protection efforts to save lives and property from disasters,” he said.
“And most importantly, Your Excellency, you have assured the masses of Zimbabwe that no one will die of hunger as a result of the projected drought.”
Minister Ncube made reference to the 2024 first Cabinet meeting, when President Mnangagwa made a firm commitment to increase internet connectivity and promote the use of Information Communication Technology across all economic sectors moving towards a digital economy.
He said the Optic Fibre Network project would not only improve communication infrastructure but also pave the way for enhanced service delivery, education, health and job creation in the province.
“In this regard, the Midlands Province is a proud beneficiary of your vision as ICT milestones have been achieved in the province, among them 17 Community Information Centres established, 40 ICT laboratories established at learning institutions, Dendera Multi-Operator Radio Access Network in Lundi Zvishavane and various Network Base Stations across the eight districts, Public Finance Management Systems Kiosks established in all eight districts and 5 000 homes reached with fibre to home systems in Gweru and Zvishavane, among others,” said Minister Ncube.
He said the Midlands Province was the heartbeat of the nation, not only because of it being the home province of the President but also because of the commitment to drive the heritage-based modernization and industrialization agenda, as Zimbabwe gravitates towards the attainment of an upper middle income economy earlier than 2030.
“Your Excellency, the Midlands Province fully supports your leadership towards the attainment of a prosperous and empowered upper middle-income society, a journey you have started with passion, commitment, hard work and distinction,” said Minister Ncube.
“Your Excellency, you have laid the foundation of development for current and future generations based on the philosophy Nyika Inovakwa Nevene Vayo. We have seen it for ourselves that brick upon brick, Zimbabwe is being built by our champion of development.”
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