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Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
NEWLY-appointed Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Misheck Mugadza has adopted an all-inclusive approach to ensure all projects that have been stalling take off as soon as possible for the benefit of the people of Manicaland.
These include the by-pass road at Christmas Pass and the Sakubva Urban Renewal Project, among others.
Minister Mugadza was sworn into office by President Mnangagwa last week and as the new sheriff in town, he has made it clear that failure is not an option.
All stakeholders have been called upon to put all hands on the deck to ensure the attainment of an upper middle income economy through the implementation of National Development Strategy (NDS1).
Buoyed by a track record of being hardworking and having an open-door policy, Minister Mugadza, who is also the legislator for Mutasa South Constituency, said he has adopted the servant leadership approach in executing his duties.
In an interview with The Manica Post early this week, Minister Mugadza said everyone has a role to play in building the country’s economy.
“Elections season is now behind us and it is time for everyone to work towards building the economy. These relationships I have built with the people of Manicaland during the past 33 years, including those from the churches and the business community, will make us succeed.
“During the campaign period, I was telling the people, especially those in my constituency, that I am their project and that l am at their disposal. I know that Manicaland will succeed because of everyone’s effort.
‘‘That is my trump card.
“I am happy that President Mnangagwa saw it fit to appoint me as the Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
“We will strengthen the implementation of NDS1 through creating an enabling environment, an open door policy, stakeholder engagement, team work and servant leadership,” said Minister Mugadza.
He said to ensure that the province continues growing its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), an all inclusive plan will be put in place in the near future.
“The province will have a GDP plan in place. We will engage the local business people and foreign investors to tap on the vast natural resources in Manicaland so that we will continue growing our provincial and national economies.
“A lot of our people work in the informal sector and we want to formalise that sector as well. We have projects like the Sakubva Urban Renewal Project that were stalled for a variety of reasons, but I want to assure everyone that they will now take off.
“We will engage all relevant stakeholders to ensure that all stalled projects take off.
‘‘The Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) and the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) have already been engaged for some of the life changing projects listed under the Sakubva Urban Renewal Project.
“Land is readily available and area under Murahwa People’s Green Market in Sakubva is ready to be handed over to the investors so that work can commence as soon as possible,” said Minister Mugadza.
Turning to the long-awaited by-pass road at Christmas Pass, Minister Mugadza had good news for the travelling public as he announced that funding for the Christmas Pass Road has been availed and the project will take off soon.
Many people believe that the by-pass road will be a panacea to the endless road accidents that are always happening at the sharp and steep curves at Christmas Pass, resulting in the loss of lives and property.
Minister Mugadza said gone are the days of red tape in Government departments as this affects the implementation of key projects.
“There will be close monitoring of all projects, while good corporate governance will be the hallmark.
“We expect all civil servants and stakeholders to uphold corporate ethics and treat clients with dignity. We want effectiveness and efficiency in the discharge of our duties through servant leadership.
“We will continue lobbying for the decentralisation of key offices to the province and districts, while addressing the issue of vacant posts in Government and key parastatals.
“We will also give space to technical people so that they use their expertise. In short, it will be business un-usual as we execute our duties. I will also lead from the front through extended working hours. I have confidence in my team and the other stakeholders. With unity of purpose, we will move mountains,” said Minister Mugadza.
The Minister said his office will continue playing an oversight role in all projects and programmes being implemented.
“Local authorities have defined roles within their Acts. My office plays an oversight role in all projects and programmes being implemented in the province and there will be no role conflicts.
“We are allegiant to Government and we will continue defending our heritage. We will have a people-centred transformation agenda,” said Minister Mugadza.
Online Reporter