Zim News Blog -NEWS NETWORK

Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau

CONSTRUCTION of the Mutoko Government complex at Mutoko centre by Government is nearing completion, with the offices expected to be opened this year.

The complex will have 120 offices to house Government departments whose offices are scattered all over Mutoko centre.

Construction of the two storey complex started during the old dispensation and there was no notable progress. However, the coming in of the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa, who also gave priority to resume all stalled projects, has seen construction of the complex being revived. 

Now, construction has reached the roof stage. Recently, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Dr Aplonia Munzverengwi toured the construction site where she reiterated Government’s commitment to improve working conditions for civil servants and also bringing critical services closer to the people.

“This is going to be a one stop centre where all Government departments in Mutoko district will be housed.

“Construction started during the old dispensation. We once visited this place when construction was at foundation stage. But now the construction has reached another level.

“This building will have 120 offices and I am told all Government departments will be housed here. So this is an advantage since all Government services will be done at one complex. So we are happy about it. This is development which we are witnessing is being brought about by the New Dispensation,” she said.

Dr Munzverengwi said the complex is expected to be complete this year.

“As you can see, a lot of material is here. We are expecting Treasury to release some funds so that construction is completed. We expect completion of this complex this year. You will realise that this is not the only development being done in our province. Last year we commissioned a lot of projects and this year we will commission more,” she said.

“We have roads under rehabilitation and some are being upgraded. We have dams under construction. A lot is happening in terms of development in our province courtesy of the Second Republic,” she said.

Mutoko North legislator Isaac Tsakani thanked Government for bringing meaningful development, not only to Mutoko but across the province.

“We are thankful to President Mnangagwa for this development. He has remembered us here in Mutoko. 

This shows that the President is a man of his word because he said no one and no place will be left behind in terms of development.

“This complex is a game changer and it is going to be not business as usual in terms of the service being offered by civil servants in our district. We are hoping that Treasury will release funds soon so that construction can be completed. So I want to thank the President and Government for other developments in Mutoko and across the province. There is development everywhere and with this pace, nothing will stop us from attaining Vision 2030. My prayer is for President Mnangagwa to be given more life so that he can also witness the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.

Wallace Ruzvidzo-Herald Reporter

PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has commended the private sector for heeding his directive for them to become more active players in the industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe’s economy.

In his address at the commissioning of the Champion Foods (Private) Limited milling plant in Harare last week, the President said it was pleasing to note that the private sector was now playing its part in the country’s economic growth.

Over the years, President Mnangagwa has been rallying the private sector to take a leading role in Zimbabwe’s development agenda.

“The investment by Champion Foods is one of the ways the private sector is playing its part in growing our economy.

“Through initiatives such as this one, my Government is ensuring the building of stronger and productive communities, which guarantees that we lift many of our people out of poverty into prosperity.” 

President Mnangagwa said both the private and public sectors should up the ante in ensuring increased production and productivity for the attainment of an empowered upper middle income society by 2030.

The Government, he said, was committed to implementing measures that cushion Zimbabweans from climate change-related effects.

“As we scale up our efforts towards value addition and the attainment of Vision 2030, public and private institutions, as well as farmers are called upon to continue working together towards ensuring co-ordinated and increased production, marketing and financing of the agriculture sector.

“On its part, my administration remains committed to supporting initiatives and investments to improve our agriculture sector, mitigate against climate change, end hunger and poverty.

“Furthermore, we are committed to continue playing our part towards the realisation of aspirations outlined in the National Development Strategy, African Union Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

The President said his administration would continue instituting a conducive operating environment for businesses to thrive.

He said no one but Zimbabweans could take the country forward in its economic development trajectory.

“I invite other players to set up more value addition centres across the country, while also supporting increased production and productivity enough to sustain the investment.

“That way we achieve sustainable localised ‘rural’ agricultural-linked economic development. Indeed, ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhulekelwe ngabanikazi balo’.  

“My Government will continue fostering a conducive business operating environment by implementing policies and measures that guarantee positive returns for investors,” President Mnangagwa said.

Private sector players said they will continue to support the country’s development thrust. In an interview yesterday, Grain Millers Association of Zimbabwe national chairman Mr Tafadzwa Musarara said the private sector was committed to furthering its role in the country’s modernisation and industrialisation drive.

“Industrialisation is key to the growth of primary production and also availability of products for consumers.

“We are happy with the entry of Champions Foods onto the market. It could not have come at a better time than now when we are faced with a menacing drought.

“The industrialisation is continuing in two ways, having additional players like Champions Foods and increase in capacity,” he said.

Confederation of Zimbabwe Retailers president Mr Denford Mutashu thanked President Mnangagwa for providing “strong, stable and visionary leadership to business and the country at large”.

“We wish to reaffirm our commitment towards supporting Vision 2030 while leaving no one and no place behind because indeed ‘Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo’,” he said.