Minister hails private firms in Covid-19 fight

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa has lauded private players for complementing Government efforts in the fight against Covid-19.

Speaking to the Mashonaland West provincial Covid-19 task force recently, Minister Mutsvangwa said the nation was on course to winning the war against the killer virus on the back of support from private companies and individuals.

“Let me commend efforts by some of the private players that are working to fight the pandemic. These efforts are commendable as the fight against Covid-19 does not solely rest in the hands of the Government, but everyone,” she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said communities must continue to adhere to the lockdown regulations, putting on face masks, sanitising their hands and maintaining physical distance, to contain the surge in cases.

A local company, Odzi Foods Industries (OFI), is presently spearheading awareness campaigns in Makonde District.

About 10 000 people in Makonde have been trained under a project initiated by OFI and is expected to run until October.

Dubbed Makonde Coronavirus Response Community Engagement (MA-CCE), the project has also trained 68 field officers who are now spreading awareness messages at shopping centres across the district under a $15 million package.

OFI is working obtaining financial assistance coming from German government while health expertise is coming from the Ministry of Health and Child Care.

In an interview, OFI chief executive officer Mr David Jazire, said the project aims to curb the spread of Covid-19 in Makonde, where the company has a groundnuts out-grower scheme.

“The project’s overall goal of strategic preparedness, readiness and response plan to stop further human-to-human transmission of Covid-19 into or within Makonde rural community,” he said.

“We also hope to reduce secondary infections by educating the public about how Covid-19 spreads and avoid transmissions.”

Other players that have joined hands in the fights against Covid-19 in the province include platinum giants Great Dyke Investments and Zimplats.