Modern bio-diesel production plant in Mutoko complete — Cabinet

Cabinet received reports on progress made as at day 50 in the implementation of priority projects for the 1st 100-Day Cycle of 2023, as presented by Ministers as follows:

Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Honourable Mangaliso  Ndlovu reported on the following projects being implemented:

1. The establishment of the Roads Materials Production Plant in Zvishavane, Midlands Province is at 90 percent of completion, with the factory shell completed and the production line equipment having already been procured. Production of roads materials will lengthen the lifespan of roads and reduce the cost of road construction and maintenance in the country.
2. The construction of the Gwanda State University Mining Laboratory and Innovation Complex in Matabeleland South province has reached 85 percent of completion. The project will improve the country’s capabilities in exploration and mineral beneficiation.

iii. The establishment of the Lupane State University Bingwa Wildlife and Ecotourism Innovation Park in Matabeleland North province is 60 percent complete.  The project will improve hands-on training and eco-tourism management and facilitate industrialisation of the sector.

1. The establishment of the Baobab Juice Plant at Mutare Teachers College in Manicaland Province is 65 percent complete, and the plant equipment has been procured. The project will improve livelihoods through rural industrialisation.
2. The construction of the National University of Science and Technology Tech-Innovation Centre has reached 85 percent of completion. The centre will be the icon of innovation in Zimbabwe’s industrialisation programme
3. The plant factory building of the Modern Bio-Diesel Production Plant in Mutoko, Mashonaland East province is complete, and now awaits the delivery of the production plant equipment. The project will benefit the communities through employment creation and revolutionalise rural livelihoods through industrialisation.

The Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Masuka reported on the projects implemented by his Ministry. He highlighted the progress as follows:

1. The electrification and installation of centre pivots covering 100 hectares of the 150 hactares Madhodha Irrigation Scheme in Mashonaland West province has been completed;
2. The development of 69 ha of irrigation at Chitemene Irrigation Scheme in Manicaland Province was completed;

iii. 50 hectares out of the targeted 72ha of the Musikavanhu B2 Irrigation Scheme in Manicaland Province were developed and two boreholes sunk;

1. The construction of Chivhu Dam in Mashonaland East Province is at 98,2 percent of completion, while the development of 120 hectares of irrigable land is 90 percent complete;
2. The construction of the Gwayi Shangani Dam has reached 70,2 percent of completion;
3. 115 out of the targeted 120 dip tanks have been rehabilitated across all rural provinces under the Accelerated Dip Tank Rehabilitation Programme;

vii. 200 000 sweet potato vines were distributed under the Sweet Potato Vine Production Programme;

viii. 159 787 chicks were distributed under the Presidential Poultry Scheme;

1. The reverse engineering for a traditional grains thresher was successfully carried out and the testing of the prototype is underway;
2. 121 out of the targeted 200 tractors were distributed under the Belarus Mechanisation Facility (Phase 2);
3. 89 farms were surveyed, while 824 A1 permits and eleven, 99-year leases were issued.

In view of the importance of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam in ending the water supply challenges facing Bulawayo Metropolitan as well as Matabeleland North and South Provinces, Cabinet has directed that more resources be availed in order to expedite completion of construction works.

On behalf of the Honourable Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere, Honourable D Garwe reported on projects being implemented by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services as follows:

1. The construction of 24 Community Information Centres has reached 90 percent of completion;
2. 100 ICT Laboratories have been established at schools across provinces, under the ICT Laboratory per School Programme;

iii. under the SMART Government Agriculture Programme, 1 000 computers were availed for use by Agricultural extension officers, while 160 desktop computers were allocated to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.

1. 517 schools were connected to the internet under the Schools Internet Connectivity Programme;
2. 250 e-learning platforms were deployed to schools under the e-learning platforms for Schools in all provinces;
3. 4 base stations were commissioned at St Mary’s and Dema in Chitungwiza, ZRP High School in Harare and Chogugudza Primary School in Domboshawa under the wireless radio base stations project thereby exceeding the initial target of 2;

vii. Under the e-Health Connectivity Programme, a total of 71 health institutions were connected;

viii. The deployment of towers to Svuure in Zaka and Bonda Site in Mberengwa, 2 of the 5 areas without coverage, was completed;

The Minister Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare,   Honourable Prof Paul Mavima reported on the projects being implemented by his Ministry. He highlighted the following:

1. The establishment of the migrant resource centre in Bulawayo is in progress, with refurbishment of the building having been completed;
2. The food deficit mitigation strategy is being implemented in 52 rural districts, with 22 056 tonnes of grain having been distributed to 2 205 625 people in January 2023. During the month of February, 17 886 tonnes of grain were distributed to 1 788 640 people;

The Minister Primary and Secondary Education, Honourable

Dr. Evelyn Ndlovu reported on the projects being implemented by her Ministry.  These include the following:

1. The schools registration exercise is progressing well, with 27 more schools registered nationwide. The exercise will be completed within the current 100-Day Cycle, and is targeting Early Childhood Development, primary and secondary schools across all provinces.
2. The upgrading of school infrastructure across the provinces has reached 81 percent of completion. Some of the projects are Benza Primary School in Masvingo Province; Sanya Primary in Mashonaland Central; St. John Baptist Secondary in Manicaland; Luwande Primary in Matabeleland South, in partnership with development partners; Ruvimbo Primary in Mashonaland West; Hatcliffe 1 Council Primary in Harare; and Cowdray Park Primary in Bulawayo. Government is supporting the programme through resources from Devolution funds, and has taken over the responsibility for ECD infrastructure provision from parents;

iii. The construction and conversion of laboratories has reached 76 percent and work is in progress at Valukhalo Secondary in Mangwe District in Matabeleland South; Seke 3 High and Mufakose 2 High in Harare; Dandawa High in Hurungwe; Mutungagore Secondary in Mashonaland Central; and Gogo High School in Lupane District in Matabeleland North.

1. The construction of a 32-bed girls’ hostel and solar electrification of the facility at Fatima High School has reached 35 percent of completion, while the electrification is at 75 percent. Government and Development partners are collaborating on the project. Free wi-fi facilities have been installed at Cowdray Park Primary School in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province.

The Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and  Hospitality industry reported as follows:

1. The project on promoting environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resources management aims at constructing 16 units with 96 beds at the Mountain Lake Resort at Juliasdale in Nyanga District of Manicaland Province is set for commissioning in July 2023;
2. The project on the establishment of a radar network has made significant progress at the country’s airports, namely: the Victoria Falls International Airport in Matabeleland North Province, and Buffalo Range Airport in Masvingo Province;

iii. The ministry has installed a total of 21 automatic weather stations at existing Meteorological Services stations around the country in order to enhance weather forecasting;

1. Major refurbishment works at the Rhodes Nyanga Hotel have been completed and the facility has commenced taking bookings after recruiting more than 50 percent of critical skills staff;
2. Construction works have commenced under the project to establish Environmental Management Agency district offices in Zaka District of Masvingo Province, Chimanimani District of Manicaland Province, and Muzarabani in Mashonaland Central Province; and
3. The construction of a community meeting shed by ZIMPARKS has been completed for Mbire District in Mashonaland Central Province, while resource mobilisation is underway for similar projects for Tsholotsho, Hwange and Binga Districts of Matabeleland North Province; Beitbridge in Matabeleland South Province; and Kariba District in Mashonaland West Province.

The Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Honourable Daniel Garwe  reported on projects under his purview as follows:

1. In Harare Metropolitan Province, construction of the Dzivarasekwa flats blocks 7, 8 and 9 has reached roof level, reflecting 70 percent of completion, while block 10 has reached 95 percent of completion;
2. In Mashonaland East Province, the first 2 blocks being constructed in Marondera have reached roof level, reflecting 70 percent of completion, while the other 2 blocks are at 61 percent of completion;

iii. In Binga District in Matabeleland North Province, 10 of the 20 houses being built for flood victims have been completed, while the other 10 have reached roof level;

1. Site mobilisation for the Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe Mutawatawa housing project has been completed, and this involves a pilot project on high-rise flats in Rural District Councils to support settlement densification; and
2. In Lupane District of Matabeleland North Province, the project on the regularisation of Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle settlements has opened up 45 percent of road network, while the water reticulation system has been completed and trench excavations for sewer reticulation have reached 60 percent of completion.

ZIMBABWE’S RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND THE PROCUREMENT AND ROLL-OUT OF VACCINES

Cabinet received an update on the Country’s Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic and Roll-Out of Vaccines, as presented by the Chairman of the Ministers’ Committee on the National Covid-19 Response, Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen. (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.

The nation is being informed that the cumulative Covid-19 cases as at 23 April, 2023 stood at 264 637, with 258 883 recoveries and 5 685 deaths. There were 64 active cases, while one death was recorded during the week under review.  There were 14 new hospital admissions, compared to the 7 recorded the previous week, with 4 being in intensive care.

Regarding the national vaccination programme, a total of 7 140 454 received their first doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, 5 357 572  their second and 1 906 089  their third doses. The nation is advised to continue to get vaccinated and also adhere to all Covid-19 public health and social measures, since the pandemic is not yet over.

UPDATE ON THE CHOLERA OUTBREAK RESPONSE

Cabinet received an update report on the ongoing cholera outbreak, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Gen. (Rtd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.

While efforts to contain the cholera outbreak have been intensified, the nation is being informed that as of 23 April 2023, Zimbabwe’s cumulative suspected cases had reached 536, with 503 recoveries and 3 deaths. Nine out of the country’s ten provinces have reported suspected cases, with only Matabeleland North Province still unaffected by the outbreak. The most recent 6 suspected cases were reported in Midlands Province. The worst affected provinces are Matabeleland South which recorded 186 cases; and Manicaland with 152 cases.

With regard to the regional situation, fourteen (14) African countries have now reported cholera outbreaks since the beginning of this year. A cumulative 160 756 suspected cholera cases and 3 288 deaths have been recorded, reflecting a Case Fatality Rate of 2,1 percent as of 4 April 2023. Cabinet wishes to assure the nation that the cholera risk assessment is ongoing in all provinces in order to determine the targeting of oral cholera vaccination. Active surveillance is ongoing at points of entry and exit, while water and sanitation provision is being intensified in communities at high risk.

PRINCIPLES OF THE ZIMBABWE LAND COMMISSION (GENERAL CONDITIONS OF SERVICE) REGULATIONS

Cabinet received and approved the Principles of the Zimbabwe Land Commission (General Conditions of Service) Regulations as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable A. J. Masuka

The nation is being informed that the Land Commission is an integral institution of the Reform Agenda of the Second Republic. The Principles of the Land Commission provide for the following, among a raft of issues: the recruitment, grading, promotion and advancement of members on the basis of merit, and procedures for their transfer and secondment; steps on resignation or termination of contracts; the applicable pensionable age and retirement; and the duties and conduct expected of members. Other provisions relate to leave and death in service; indemnification of drivers; maternity leave; training for staff development in order to increase organisational productivity; and grievances and disciplinary handling procedures.

OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE ZIMBABWE INTERNATIONAL TRADE FAIR

Cabinet noted that the 2023 edition of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair started well on Monday 24 April 2023.  His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini will preside over the official opening of the fair on Friday, 28 April 2023.

THE TRANSFORM AFRICA SUMMIT IN VICTORIA FALLS

Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that His Excellency the President, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa will host Heads of State and Government at the Transform Africa Summit being held in Victoria Falls on 26 April, 2023.  The Heads of State and Government who have confirmed their attendance are His Majesty King Mswati III of Eswatini; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi;  President Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia; and President F. Gnassingbe of Togo.