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Wallace Ruzvidzo recently in BULAWAYO
GOVERNMENT has been directed by the ruling Zanu PF party to deliver free healthcare services for the elderly, minors and people living with disabilities and establish mobile healthcare facilities in all communities where there are no primary and maternal healthcare services.
This comes after President Mnangagwa told the Zanu-PF Central Committee in Harare last week that party meetings were not mere talk shows, but platforms that produce binding policies and resolutions that will transform people’s lives.
He said the supremacy of Zanu PF over Government is a standing principle, which compels the party to supervise and oversee functions of Central Government, adding that policies, directives, programmes and projects enunciated by the conference must find a place in Government plans and the requisite resources allocated.
At the end of the ruling party conference held in Bulawayo over the weekend, Zanu PF Secretary for Legal Affairs Cde Patrick Chinamasa read out resolutions that focused mostly on improving social services, strengthening the local currency and harnessing the country’s natural resources for the benefit of the people.
“The party directs the Government to provide free health care services for the elderly, minors, persons with disabilities, marginalised and the vulnerable;
“Establish mobile health care facilities in all communities where there are no primary and maternal health care services,” said Cde Chinamasa.
He said the ruling party had also resolved to direct Government to expedite the establishment of the national health insurance scheme.
The policy will also allow pregnant and lactating mothers to be accorded free health care services.
“Develop and implement a programme that supports the existing Government policy that aims to provide free of-charge health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, children under five and those aged 60 years and above.
“Review policies and strengthen the legal framework to cap the distribution of drugs and substances,” said Cde Chinamasa.
On the access to basic education front, Government was charged to ensure it fulfills its obligations under the Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM) timeously.
No child should be sent away from school or miss classes because of delayed payments of fees under BEAM, the ruling party resolved.
“Ensure that legacy arrears arising from Basic Education Assistance Model (BEAM) commitments are cleared and funds due under the programme are timeously released, ensure that BEAM beneficiaries are not sent away from school due to delayed payment or fees,” said Cde Chinamasa as he read out the resolutions.
As a people-centred party, economic stability is a priority hence Zanu PF directed Government to not only implement measures to strengthen the local currency but also speed up efforts to de-dollarise the country’s economy.
To this end, curbing of money laundering, speculation and arbitrage on the parallel market including the criminalisation of economic saboteurs’ activities, were also among the resolutions.
“The party directs Government to: Take robust measures to strengthen the purchasing power of the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG) currency and entrench its usage; Expedite efforts to de-dollarise the economy and promote the use of the ZiG as the country’s sole currency, promote wider circulation of the ZiG currency and its availability in all denominations.
“Synchronise, harmonise and co-ordinate all fiscal and monetary policies in order to stabilise the economy.”
Cde Chinamasa said the distribution of Presidential inputs and social welfare relief, which is currently underway across the country, should be done free of corruption.
“Ensure that in line with the President’s vision, Presidential inputs and social welfare relief are distributed to all deserving citizens regardless of political or other affiliations; Ensure timeous distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers in an effort to promote and sustain food sovereignty and develop a programme that ensures efficiency, transparency, equity, inclusivity and speed in the distribution of drought relief to all vulnerable citizens immediately.”
On land, Government was enjoined to expedite the allocation of 10 hectare plots per district for the youth as well as the implementation of the new land tenure policy announced by President Mnangagwa earlier this month.
“Expedite the implementation of a new land tenure policy to give beneficiaries security of tenure; Expedite the localisation of the production of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs so as to reduce the cost of production.”
The continuous empowerment of the youth has been a common feature under the Second Republic and another resolution was for Government to consider the appointment of youths to boards of parastatals.
“The party directs the Government to continue accelerating empowerment programmes including mining concessions, land skills training, affordable access to capital and education”.
Government was also directed to capacitate the youth desk in every ministry department and agency.
“Government should extend quotas in the allocation of residential and commercial stands for the youth.
“The party directs the Government to put in place mechanisms to protect the interests of those who seek employment outside the country,” said Cde Chinamasa.
The 21st National People’s Conference was held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo, under the theme, “Industrialise and Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030”.
Online Reporter