BULAWAYO – President Emmerson Mnangagwa used a trip to Bulawayo on Thursday to reaffirm his commitment to devolution of power, but his government is yet to define the shape that will take.
Mnangagwa said his government wanted to see the development of provincial economies to drive growth of the national economy, but he said nothing about the establishment of provincial councils which the Zanu PF government has avoided implementing since a new constitution was adopted in 2013.
He was in Bulawayo for the joint commissioning of a tomato procession plant and the Hopeville Housing project.
The joint projects are as result of $2.2 billion domestic investment and are the initiatives of Peter Cunningham, a farmer, and Jim Goddard, who owns a construction company.
Mnangagwa said Bulawayo must forget what happened in the past and move on to new possibilities that awaited under his new administration.
The two projects were critical to the growth of the Bulawayo economy, creating decent jobs and improving quality of life.
“My government will be implementing the devolution of government powers and responsibilities. I thus call upon all stakeholders, private and public institutions to be alive to this new philosophy of provincial economic development, where provinces are expected to plan and grow their provincial GDPs in the same vein,” he said.
“I invite the institutions of higher learning, the academia and intelligentsia within the respective provinces to equally contribute to the panning development and growth of these envisaged provincial economies.”
The government would also revisit Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) signed with various foreign governments, he said.
“My administration will make sure that the nation realises real value from MOUs and agreements signed with other governments. The era of signing agreements that are not implemented is over. Our bureaucracy must stand warned,” he stressed.
Turning to the commissioning of the projects, Mnangagwa said he was pleased with the Turning Matabeleland Green (TMG) tomato procession plant as it resonated with the call for value addition and beneficiation of agricultural produce.
“Equally important is the need to develop vibrant agro processing industries which uptakes our primary producers. To date, we have received investors interested in helping us further develop and construct more agro based industries to process vegetables, fruits, meat and dairy products. I therefore urge all farmers to increase productivity in every sphere of our agriculture sector,” he urged.
“My government will support research and development, more concernedly in order to raise improved yields and better quality of our agriculture products.”
The tomato plant will produce 150 tonnes of tomatoes daily and 30 tonnes of tomato juice daily.
According to Cunningham, 150 urban jobs and 4,000 people had been employed in rural areas.
Mnangagwa also commended the developers of Hopeville Housing Project for the unique housing development model, which caters for the different people across the income strata.
“I congratulate the company for the creative planning, design and construction models. This housing project will go long way in addressing the housing needs of people of Bulawayo and surrounding communities as well as contribute towards our national aspirations to provide decent housing creation for all,” he said.
“This project will equally stimulate employment in the downstream industries such as steel fabrication, journey, timber, plumbing and electrical products among others. I urge the companies involved in the housing development project to always seek to work with and empower small to medium enterprises women and youths.”
Prices of the housing units will range from $55,000 to $340,000, depending on one’s taste and architectural preferences.
Stage one of development of the Hopeville housing stands, along Woodville Road, is 90 percent sold.
Stage two is along airport road and is under development.
As time goes on Hopeville Suburb grows, it hopes to build eight schools, four churches, an 18-hole golf course, an office park and an industrial hub.
Mnangagwa said in discussions with the Minister of Local Government, July Moyo, he learnt that Hopeville suburb may have to form its own municipal authority as it has potential to overtake Gwanda town in size.
