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Precious Manomano Herald Reporter
THE Government handed over 12 vehicles to provincial tourism development officers on Wednesday as part of its ongoing effort to ensure that they are mobile and ensure meaningful contribution of the tourism sector.
Handing over the vehicles, Minister of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Mangaliso Ndhlovu said the Futon single cab vehicles will go a long way in ensuring that the officers were empowered and will ensure effective mobility as they are expected to travel across provinces.
“My ministry has taken heed of the devolution thrust put in place by the Second Republic, where decentralisation of personnel and functions to provinces is key. To date my ministry has deployed nine provisional tourism officers to Provinces in support of the Devolution process so the primary role of these officers is to ensure meaningful contribution of the tourism sector to the Provincial Gross Domestic product focusing mainly on the programmes outlined in the National Development Strategy(NDS1).
Today is a day of difference, worth celebrating as a Ministry as we hand over tools of trade to our provincial solders to implement the desired programmes effective. With this, we are expecting officers to perform their duties diligently and produce results for the good of the nation,’ he said.
The officers went through an induction training and all of them passed and received certificates which signify that they qualified for the job before being given the vehicles.
He said the officers will work under the Provincial Development Coordinators to initiate meaningful Tourism projects by the private sector, the Government and by communities to drive overall Tourism growth. Minister Ndhlovu said even though the sector faces challenges in terms of implementing set targets due to Covid-19, this has served as a wake up call for the sector to shift direction towards promoting domestic market and tourism product development.
He also thanked the Treasury for the support to purchase the vehicles.
“I would like also to express my appreciation to the Treasury for his support which has enabled my ministry top undertake the acquisition of 12 new vehicles for my provisional tourism officers, They will ensure effective mobility as they are discharging their duties,” he said. He said his ministry has embarked on a robust product identification drive with a view to increase the product base and enhance visitors’ experience.
He also emphasised that these tools of trade will enable the ministry to reach out to all including the vulnerable groups for the growth of the sector as the country moves towards the national vision 2030.
“With these tools, there is thus no excuse for non-performance to help the Ministry meeting its target under NDS1(2021-2025).
One of the Tourism development Officers, Miss Precious Chapwanya of Mashonaland East, thanked the Government for recognising them saying it will go a long way in alleviating the ministry’s problems and promote the betterment of the nation as well.
“I promise to work hard and fulfil the ministry’ s vision for the betterment of the country,” she said. Recently President Mnangagwa commissioned 82 vehicles for the Zimbabwe Republic Police as part of efforts to capacitate law enforcement agencies in the country.
Online Reporter