PM calls for speedy movement of grain to needy areas

had difficulties in accessing it.
He said the Ministries of Labour and Social Welfare, Local Government, Urban and Rural Development and Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development should formulate a new convenient and faster way of moving grain.

PM Tsvangirai made the remarks while on a tour of Government projects in Matabeleland South province, where he addressed heads of government departments and non-governmental organisations.
He said the Government had enough grain in its reserves to feed the nation but there was slow movement to affected areas.
“It is our responsibility as leaders to supervise the implementation of Government policy and make sure that our entire projects are being done according to book,” said PM Tsvangirai.

“We are very concerned with the pace at which the grain is being distributed to the people, especially those in the rural areas. Food security is our top priority as a Government.”
PM Tsvangirai said there were areas in dire need of food which called for movement of grain from those with abundance.
“It’s high time we re-strategise and come up with new logistical measures with Ministries of Agriculture and Social Welfare being at the fore front,” he said.

“These are the people who know the exact quantities of food and households who are in need of assistance.”
The Matabeleland region was severely affected by drought and a number of families are in dire need of food assistance.

PM Tsvangirai said some roads needed to be upgraded and repaired to ensure the smooth flow of grain.
He called on development partners to work hand in hand with Government in completing outstanding projects.

“You will realise that for us to progress we need to do away with stabilisation bureaucracies and focus more on ensuring the growth of Government structures and services,” he said.
“The best way to move forward is to complete projects already underway and we can then start working on other issues.

“One of the key areas which needs attention is Beitbridge Border Post which is our cash cow as a country. We need to speed up the completion of all the outstanding projects, especially on the housing front.”

PM Tsvangirai said the Government requires US$1,2 million to complete the outstanding works on the houses that are being constructed under the Beitbridge re-development programme.
Beitbridge town secretary Dr Sipho Singo said they had made great strides in developing the town into a modern city.
He said Government had since availed US$11 million for the upgrading of water supply systems.