Ministers transformed into economic champions to drive provinces

IN a significant shift from their traditional ceremonial roles, Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution have been tasked with championing economic development in their respective provinces.

This move is part of the Government’s efforts to boost the provincial gross domestic product to contribute to the country’s broader national development targets.

Presidential Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary, Engineer Tafadzwa Muguti, revealed this new direction during his recent tour of high-impact projects in the Matabeleland region.

Eng Muguti visited Pretoria Portland Cement (PPC) Zimbabwe Limited on the outskirts of Bulawayo, conducted a tour of the giant Treger Group factory and Edgars Stores’ Carousel manufacturing plant, including a transformative community garden in Ntabazinduna in Umguza District and Montgomery High School in the same district. He had earlier visited projects in Matabeleland South Province.

“As you know, with devolution, we are heading towards setting up provincial governments. Already, we have appointed Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution. In other countries, they are called governors and premiers, and the Ministers of State offices have now been complemented by a full staff complement of 60,” he explained.

“This consists of engineers, planners, and economists as we want to be a co-ordinating Government.”

He stressed that the Government is committed to creating a coordinating government that facilitates economic growth. “Traditionally, the offices of Ministers of State are mostly noted as ceremonial. They come to read opening remarks, you see them presiding over events, but now they are going to be champions of economic development in their provinces.”

Provincial governments are now expected to attract their own investments and will be evaluated based on their performance.

Eng Muguti’s office will release annual reports on each provincial economy, highlighting areas that require improvement.

“We are hoping we can arrange ourselves as a government to remove red tape. My office is readily available to assist the provinces, to assist the districts, especially now that we are going to be measuring how each province has performed.

“We will be releasing statistics for last year in the second quarter or at the end of the first quarter. We are now rating from 1 to 10, which province did well based on economic activity. So, gone are the days for unplanned developments and irregular economic activities,” said Eng Muguti.

He said the Government aims to promote local economic development, ensuring that local businesses benefit from the transformative changes underway.

He stressed that the days of Harare-dominated contracts and services are over.

“We are trying to move away from having Harare contractors getting contracts in Matabeleland North. There should be companies in Matabeleland North that should be able to do so.”

Eng Muguti underlined the importance of devolution, citing the proverb “Nyika inotongwa nevene vayo/Ilizwe libuswa ngabaninilo”.

“We are saying the people from that community should have a greater voice over their own endowments,” said Eng Muguti.

He encouraged provinces to establish their economic development plans, synchronise their operations with local authorities, and create a favourable environment for the private sector to thrive.

“Now we will be challenging provinces to focus on their own economic growth, and that will force provinces to have conversations with the likes of private sector companies like PPC. Provinces should say, ‘what must we do as Government’ to make sure PPC, among other companies, grow and enjoy higher profits, have greater turnover assets and investment ratio at the end of the day,” he added.

The Government also aims to tackle the informal sector, which accounts for 70 percent of businesses.

Eng Muguti noted that the country cannot achieve sustainable development by collecting taxes from only 30 percent of businesses.

“We have been releasing devolution funds, but devolution funds are 5 percent of the consolidated revenue collections. The Government is only collecting taxes from 30 percent of businesses in the country.

“Surely you can’t be expecting the Government to be coughing money from nowhere. Through the formalisation of businesses will allow the Government to retain more value in the same societies,” said Eng Muguti. — @nqotshili.