Mpofu extends olive branch to civic society

the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme to castigate their Government.
Mines and Mining Development Minister Obert Mpofu, called for unity of purpose between the Government and the civil society over diamonds than to work with the country’s enemies. Minister Mpofu, recently told stakeholders at a consultative conference in Mutare that Government and the civil society should work together for the benefit of the country.

“For instance, when we travel for international meetings such as the Kimberley Certification Process we tend to fire from a confused and disorganised position. We have scenarios where our supposedly own NGOs, whom I am happy to note are part of our proceedings today, sitting with the Americans in one end and I as the minister sitting on the other end with officials from the ministry; ministers from other countries sitting with their own NGOs. It is only Zimbabwe NGOs that sit with either British or Canadian ministers and you are left wondering what really has come to Zimbabwe,” he said.

Minister Mpofu said it was high time the fragile relationship that existed between Government and the civil society was mended.
He said the Mutare conference was a clear testimony of efforts to bring together all entities that have genuine, direct and indisputable interest in the development of the mining sector.

Minister Mpofu said the purpose of the conference was to correct and manage misinformation regarding Government strategic policies.
Government, Minister Mpofu said, had nothing to hide, adding that transparency and accountability should not only be domiciled in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development alone, but to other arms of Government and the civic society.

He said Government wanted to know the NGOs and what their genuine concerns were. Minister Mpofu said the mining sector was one of the most important sectors in the development of the country. “The mining sector, which is now on a predictable path of growth currently accounts for over 50 percent of total exports and is a major source of Foreign Direct Investment. However, frequent power outages, shortages of funds for working capital and recapitalisation of mining operations, skills shortage and inefficient infrastructure have constrained optimal performance in the sector.”