Source: Zanu PF Youth League deploys teams to assess US$2 million empowerment projects – herald
Joseph Madzimure
Zimpapers Politics Hub
THE Zanu PF Youth League is this week deploying monitoring and evaluation teams across the country to assess the performance, accountability and impact of youth empowerment projects funded through the US$2 million facility availed by President Mnangagwa.
The assessments will be conducted under the Youth League’s Economic Cluster in all 10 provinces.
In an interview, Zanu PF Youth League Secretary for Administration, Tendai Chiwetu, confirmed that a high-powered delegation would begin touring the provinces this week.
“Starting this week, we will dispatch a high-level delegation to assess empowerment projects — these are the US$2 million projects that were availed by President Mnangagwa last year,” he said.
Under the programme, each province received US$200 000 to invest in income-generating projects identified at the provincial level.
Cde Chiwetu said several provinces opted to acquire tipper trucks as part of their investment strategies.
Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East each received three tipper trucks purchased using their allocations.
He also confirmed that Mashonaland Central recently received earth-moving equipment as part of the empowerment initiative.
The programme is complemented by an agricultural mechanisation scheme under which President Mnangagwa handed over 72 tractors to 72 districts nationwide to boost youth participation in agriculture.
“These are meant to support farming activities for the youth. Each district has already paid US$2 000 as a deposit to secure the tractors. The tractors will be fully paid off after five years,” said Cde Chiwetu.
He praised the President for what he described as unprecedented support for young people through empowerment programmes.
“You will recall that last year we received US$2 million from President Mnangagwa through his Special Adviser, Dr Paul Tungwarara,” he said.
“We then distributed the funds equally among the 10 provinces, with each province receiving US$200 000.
“We asked provinces to identify viable investment opportunities and we are pleased that all provinces selected projects they were willing to undertake.”
According to Cde Chiwetu, reports received by the Youth League indicate that many of the projects are generating positive returns.
“Since the project was launched, we have received encouraging updates from the provinces. This is largely because provinces were given responsibility to manage and administer the equipment and machinery.
“Based on information from the ground, most provinces now have surplus funds ranging from approximately US$50 000 to US$70 000 in their bank accounts, which shows that the projects are performing well,” he said.
He noted that performance levels vary from province to province depending on the stage of implementation and operational capacity.
Cde Chiwetu said the Youth League remained committed to ensuring that young people play a meaningful role in driving economic growth and contributing towards the attainment of Vision 2030.
“Young people have benefited immensely from the empowerment programmes being implemented by the Second Republic. The resources must be protected, properly managed and directed towards productive ventures that create employment and uplift communities,” he said.
“Empowerment programmes must evolve into sustainable legacy projects that continue benefiting future generations.”
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