The Sunday News
Lungile Tshuma and Dumani Moyo Sunday News Reporters
VICE-PRESIDENT Phelekezela Mphoko yesterday said Bulawayo will soon regain its status as the country’s industrial hub and urged people to give him time to implement all the brilliant ideas he had for the city.VP Mphoko made the remarks after scaling up the revolutionary party’s by-election campaigns for Pumula, Luveve and Lobengula constituencies. Cde Mphoko bought a grinding mill worth $5 000 for Pumula Constituency and two sewing machines (embroidery and overlocking) which cost $1 400.
He also donated 30 bags of cement and three loads of sand for a group in Luveve constituency to make bricks. He said the donations were inspired by the country’s ideology of empowering people.
“We are in a mission to rebuild the city. People should give me time and we should also work together to revive the city. Cowdray Park residents complained about the poor road network and we responded by grading the road,” said Cde Mphoko.
“As for the donations I made in these constituencies, these are some of the projects people asked for. I am therefore calling for people to come forward with their projects and we will do our best to source for funding.”
The Vice-President urged all people in Bulawayo to unite in trying to revive the city regardless of their political affiliation. He also revealed that Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo would be in the city on Thursday to address water problems in Cowdray Park. He also said all what he was doing was because of the passion President Mugabe had for people in Bulawayo.
The Vice-President, who is also the Minister of State responsible for National Healing and Reconciliation, was in the company of Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo, former Matabeleland South governor Angeline Masuku and Zanu-PF Central Committee and Provincial members.
The Vice-President visited Cowdray Park Garikai/ Hlalani kuhle area where he refurbished roads. During his tour, he met residents who shared with him the challenges they were facing in the area.
In an interview, aspiring Zanu-PF Member of Parliament for Luveve constituency Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo said the project marked the beginning of capacitating the constituency with particular attention to Cowdray Park’s new stands.
“We want to get rid of the plight of the Garikai residents. The local authorities seem to have failed to put proper services in this place. Now that we have benefited from the Vice-President we want to ensure that this will lead to the solution of the water crisis situation in the area,” he said.
Cowdray Park residents interviewed said they were happy with the developments.
“This development shows that there is hope in our place, we are grateful to see the Vice-President intervening in our difficult situation,” said Mr Jabulani Moyo.
Cde Mphoko also went on to meet various residents who were socialising at Esibayeni in Matshobana suburb.
