Share schemes record successes

He said Government would continue to monitor the CSOS/Ts as the project was still in its infancy.

The Minister said communities should be directly involved in their development by highlighting projects they want to undertake or areas they want developed.

“We will continue to take a proactive approach across the country in this programme. We need, however, to involve communities in their development, especially in new areas like resettlement areas. The projects identified should give impetus to economic development,” he said.

Minister Kasukuwere also announced that the Murowa Community Trust in Zvishavane would be launched by the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Mugabe, on a date to be advised.

He said there were minor challenges that resulted in delays in the launch of the Murowa CSOS/T that emanated from the fact that the diamond mine was situated in two provinces, Midlands and Masvingo.

“One part of Murowa is in Masvingo, the other here in the Midlands. We have engaged Rio Tinto already and agreed on the shareholding structure. Everyone is now ready for the launch and we are waiting for the Masvingo launch of the programme,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

The ministerial team challenged the Zvishavane and Tongogara CSOS/Ts to speedily implement projects and start thinking big by initiating long-term projects that benefit communities for generations.

Minister Kasukuwere said most previously underdeveloped countries in the world were later developed using their own resources.

“The trust funds should not be left lying idle in bank accounts at the expense of development. Invest in projects. Youths want jobs so create jobs for youths through initiating big projects with long-term benefits. CSOS/T funds should help change the face of Shurugwi and Zvishavane through development of infrastructure and job creation,” he said.

Zvishavane CSOS/T has so far completed two state-of-the-art classroom blocks at Wedza Primary School under Chief Wedza at a cost of $190 000.

The CSOS/T received only $2 million from Mimosa instead of $10 million.

Minister Kasukuwere told the Mimosa Mine management team at the Zvishavane meeting to give the trust the outstanding $8 million so as to enable it to undertake more projects.

He urged workers to aspire to attain 100 percent empowerment in line with President Mugabe’s wish, by seeking to acquire skills and knowledge before assuming total control of the companies.

The Minister blasted foreign-owned banks like Barclays and Standard for investing depositors’ money elsewhere instead of empowering local communities who are their clientele base.

He said all banks regardless of their ownership structure should help develop communities through empowering youths and women by giving them loans.

Dr Chombo noted that the board of trustees running the trust was still hesitant to initiate big projects critical in the development of the area.

He was, however, pleased with the CSOS/T for crafting projects based on utilising water bodies in the district and supporting irrigation schemes.

“I am pleased with Runde RDC’s plans to buy borehole drilling machines and dam scoopers that will help restore their dams’ water carrying capacity. They have also bought a motorised grader, which has helped improve roads in rural Zvishavane. If the quality of work I witnessed in the two districts is anything to go by, then we will go far. I am, however worried by both CSOS/Ts’ pace, they are slightly behind schedule in implementation,” said Minister Chombo.

The Minister expressed reservations with the Tongogara CSOS rustees for depositing the entire $10 million they received from Unki Mine into a bank.

He said they should think of how best they could make use of at least $5 million on projects that benefit communities.

“Start thinking of buying equipment that will help you repair your own roads instead of hiring a contractor to do the job for you to sink your own wells.

“Think of buying your own borehole drilling equipment. You will make extra money sinking boreholes for other people and organisations from the same equipment. You can also visit other trustees like Zvishavane and get to see how they are doing their things,” said Minister Chombo.

He said the CSOS/Ts were meant to reverse the rural-urban drift by helping develop rural areas.

The Minister said rural areas were lagging behind in development owing to the colonial regime segregation policies and lately, sanctions.

“I never get direct funding from Government. President Mugabe gave me Minister Kasukuwere to help me develop rural areas. So for that reason, I will never abandon Kasukuwere,” he said.

Governor Machaya promised the ministerial team that he would engage the board of trustees of the two CSOS/Ts and come up with a way of speedily implementing the projects.

He attributed the delays in implementation to teething problems.

“The good thing is we now have the money. Progress was being stalled by people who were working together for the first time, coming from different backgrounds.

“They are now beginning to gel so I promise you that when you come back a number of projects will be running,” said Governor Machaya.