Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
NEWLY appointed Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Cde Richard Moyo yesterday said he would spearhead and tightly monitor implementation of development projects in the province to fulfil President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision of turning around the country’s economy.
In an interview at his Mhlahlandlela Government Complex offices in Bulawayo, Cde Moyo said Government departments would be expected to produce monthly reports on projects that they are undertaking.
He said he wants to create a cordial relationship with civil servants but they should be cognisant that it was no longer business as usual. “I’m new in the office, I’m yet to settle down. I’m yet to meet government departments so that we can chart the way forward. But what is clear is that it’s no longer business as usual,” Cde Moyo said.
“I will be expecting reports from departments every month and after going through the reports, I will go to the ground to assess whether what is written in their reports tallies with work on the ground. In the end, I will have to brief President Mnangagwa about the situation on the ground. I don’t want to mislead him by just presenting reports when the situation on the ground is different.”
He said he does not want to disappoint the President by failing on his duties as Matabeleland North is expected to immensely contribute towards national economic development.
“We have several projects in the province that need to be completed and since the President came to power these projects have been funded. So failure is not an option. Soon I will be visiting the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project.
“When President Mnangagwa visited it earlier this year, contractors said they would have constructed a 30 metre dam wall by the end of the year. I want to assess the situation on the ground,” said Cde Moyo.
The Provincial Minister said the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project is expected to turn Matabeleland North into a green belt, contributing to the country’s food basket while creating jobs in the agricultural sector.
He said once work at the Hwange Power Station Unit 7 and 8 is concluded, it will contribute to the national grid hence increasing productivity in the economy.
“But as we implement these projects, local people should get empowered through jobs. We should do away with behaviour where senior management imports labour,” said Cde Moyo.
“We have been receiving a lot of complaints from communities that top management in companies, instead of employing local people, they bring employees from other areas to do menial jobs. That is wrong; locals should get preferential treatment in these unskilled jobs.”
On a lighter note, Cde Moyo said he was overjoyed to the extent of struggling to sleep when he was named among the provincial ministers.
“I didn’t expect to be appointed a Minister but the President saw it fit for me to occupy this position.
“There were so many people he could have appointed but he said I’m a hard worker and I should take up the job. I’m ready to work with other officials to promote development in the region and the country,” he said.
Cde Moyo expressed gratitude to Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu, whom he described as his mentor.
“He is the one who teaches me everything. He has always advised me. I want to thank him lo mama uMrs (Sikhanyisiwe) Mpofu because they are the ones who taught me accordingly. They have never misled me from the time I started my political career,” he said. — @nqotshili
Online Reporter