The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie in Masvingo
MASVINGO Minister of State for Provincial Affairs Senator Shuvai Mahofa has hailed President Mugabe for overseeing the successful completion of the multi-million Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam which is set to change the lives of people in the province.
The project was completed on Monday last week and the dam has started receiving water raising hopes that the province will soon be a greenbelt in terms of agriculture.
Speaking during Zanu-PF’s 16th Annual National People’s Conference held at the Show Grounds in Masvingo that ended yesterday Senator Mahofa thanked President Mugabe for ensuring the completion of the biggest project to have been done in Masvingo to date pointing out that the dam would add value to the province’s economic performance.
Senator Mahofa welcomed the construction of Beitbridge-Chirundu highway which the Government said it would start soon.
She said the project would improve trade between Zimbabwe and other countries in the Sadc region with Masvingo benefiting given its central position.
She said due to the El Nino-induced drought the province’s food security was compromised but through Government intervention people were not starving.
She also praised the Government’s stance on education which has seen Masvingo having three universities.
“We want to thank you President Mugabe for such a rare opportunity that you have accorded us – to hold this year’s conference. I want to thank you, Your Excellency for the completion of Tokwe-Mukorsi Dam which is the biggest inland dam in the country. Our people will benefit through irrigation-fed agriculture as about 26 000 hectares will be put under irrigation. We also want to thank you for the dualisation of Beitbridge-Chirundu highway set to start soon. This is a major road which joins Sadc countries together and Masvingo is central,” said Senator Mahofa.
She said the hosting of the 16th Annual National People’s Conference was a rare occasion considering that it came after yet another successful big event – the 92nd birthday bash at the Great Zimbabwe Monuments in February.
She also hailed the Government for its land reform programme which saw a lot of landless people getting land in Masvingo indicating that almost all land was now in the hands of indigenous farmers.
“We have 52 565 hectares of land in Masvingo Province and our population is 1,8 million. About 95 percent of our land is under climatic region 3,4 and 5. Our people got land and we thank you for that President. We are happy that we are receiving maize deliveries for the food aid programme introduced by the Government to avert the effects of the El Nino induced drought. We have received 5 000 tonnes of maize for drought relief and 60 000 people are receiving their food rations every month while 100 000 are benefiting under the food for work programme,” said Sen Mahofa.
The conference which started on Tuesday with a Politburo meeting at the party’s headquarters and a Central Committee meeting on Wednesday was running under the theme, “Moving with Zim-Asset in Peace and Unity”.
About 7 000 party members including foreign delegates thronged the venue which saw the otherwise sleepy city enlivened and experiencing a boost in business.
walterbmswazie2
