Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Matabeleland South Bureau Chief
THE Minister of State for Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Albert Nguluvhe, has implored players in the mining and farming sectors to follow environmental laws and regulations amid concerns that their activities were causing severe damage to the environment and short-changing communities.
Speaking during a recent engagement with miners and farmers from the province, Minister Nguluvhe said miners and farmers should adopt environmental friendly strategies that do not scar the environment while extracting value from the land but must also play a leading role in developing key infrastructure within their communities.
These include roads, bridges, clinics, schools, science and computer laboratories in schools and water sources, among others.
By investing in construction of schools, he said companies can help develop skilled labour force, which can be later used to develop their companies.
“It’s important that as you work you not only concentrate on extracting resources and benefitting from the locally available resources but you also have to think about developing the areas you are operating within,” said the minister.
“This can be done through investing in developing infrastructure such as clinics, bridges, scientific laboratories in schools and solar powered boreholes, amongst other development initiatives.
“This way you will be contributing significantly to the country’s development agenda,” he added.
“To players in the mining sector, please ensure that your operations are in line with existing laws and regulations. Some of you are dodging the Environmental Management Agency and you continue to cause harm.”
Minister Nguluvhe said objectivity from officials and players in the sectors is crucial in addressing existing mining and farming disputes over land.
He condemned greediness and corruption, which leads to scramble over land that would have been set aside for other purposes, saying such tendencies stall development.
The Minister further stressed the need for collective effort in development, which will ensure Zimbabwe achieves targets set under Vision 2030.
“Our province is rich in mineral resources and agricultural potential. I decided to interface with you as players in the mining and agricultural sector as these sectors are the main economic contributors,” he said.
“I would also like to express my gratitude for the significant contributions that miners and farmers in this province have made to our economy.
“Your hard work and dedication have not only created wealth but also provided livelihoods for many families in our province.
“I am impressed by the diversity of mining and agricultural activities in Matabeleland South, from gold, lithium, limestone and coal mining to livestock and crop production.”
He added that the Government recognises the importance of devolution in unlocking the potential for the provinces, as well as fully utilising mining and agricultural resources to achieve self-sufficiency.
He said Matabeleland South should not be receiving food from other provinces when it can produce more locally and share with other provinces to boost income.
“The National Development Strategy provides a roadmap for achieving our vision and we are committed to implementing policies that support the growth of our mining and agricultural sectors,” said Minister Nguluvhe.
“In the mining sector, policies aimed at promoting investment, improving productivity and ensuring that the benefits of mining are shared equitably among stakeholders have been implemented while the agricultural sector has been benefitting from promotion of irrigation infrastructure, improving access to finance and enhancing the productivity of smallholder farmers,” he added.
“Agriculture and mining have the potential to drive economic growth and reduce poverty in our province and we are committed to supporting farmers and miners like yourselves.”
Meanwhile, the Government has reiterated its commitment to promote value-addition and beneficiation initiatives in the mining and agricultural sectors to create more jobs and increase the value of natural resources.
—@DubeMatutu
