The Sunday News
Believe Gaule, Guest Writer
OVER the years the people of Matabeleland have been moaning about economic marginalisation, accusing the Central Government of discriminating against them. Not anymore now as the Second Republic led by President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has put in place tangible programmes with a number of economic activities currently under way.
It has since dawned on the ordinary person, even to the decorated doubting Thomases, that the transition to the Second Republic was revolutionary by any measure meant to correct and address the grievances of the masses. We will forever be indebted to the selfless leadership that has taken bold steps to direct us, undoubtedly taking us forward and with hard work we will conquer.
As the people of Matabeleland North Province, we have seen the Government bringing a lot development and breathing life to projects that had embarrassingly remained stagnant over the years. It is refreshing to see big steps being taken to widen and improve the much talked about Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, itself a strategic road in many ways.
The Bulawayo-Nkayi Road project was started around 1993, then there was lull in activity, but when President Mnangagwa came into the coveted office of the Presidency, Bubi was one of the districts he toured soon after.
It was in Bubi that he made assurances that the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, which passes through Bubi, itself an area endowed with minerals such as gold and good agricultural soils will be given priority under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP). Soon the President’s promise will come to pass as this economic artery through which the economy pulses will be a smooth dual tarred highway. A visit to the site will show the deployment of machinery and human resources towards the completion of this strategic project.
In fact, there is a positive correlation between a country’s economic development and the quality of its road network.
The development and upgrading of our transport infrastructure is a sign that we are out of the economic doldrums, we have economically turned a corner, we are now cruising.
Binga District boasts a lot of tourist attractions and a rich culture which has been dormant for a long time and soon we will see these scenic attractions roaring into life especially now after the rehabilitation of the Karoi-Binga Road.
This development will boost local tourism and shorten the movement of goods and services from other provinces all the way to the majestic Victoria Falls, Dete and Hwange.
In the health sector, the construction of the provincial referral hospital in Lupane, itself our provincial capital which will not only be the biggest health facility in Matabeleland North, but will be a state-of-the-art centre for medical research. The new hospital will see a major transformation in the province and at large in the coming years, thus undoubtedly bettering the health of our people.
Every rural district in our province and the City of Victoria Falls have seen a lot of activity as they have timeously received the devolution funds. Currently underway in different areas is construction of clinics, classrooms, refurbishment of roads and so many projects. Indeed, the Second Republic has listened to the call for devolution and our people are much happier. Imagine the development and employment that has been created in the province, our youths are the biggest beneficiaries through these initiatives.
The expansion of the Victoria Falls International Airport at a cost of US$200 million is indicative enough that this province tops the agenda of the Second Republic. Anyone following tourism developments will know that one of the challenges of our major tourist destination was failure to have bigger aircrafts land there, now with the expansion exercise the gigantic planes are doing so without much ado. It is now a world class facility. If this is not a plus for the development of our tourism then nothing will ever be.
In the education sector the Government has set in motion plans to have a teacher’s college in Hwange. All along Matabeleland North was probably the only province in the country without a teacher’s training institution. This is another milestone achievement for our lovely province.
What has been much talked about, but degraded to a talk show, the extraction of methane gas in Lupane District is set to be a reality soon as concrete and tangible processes have been taken to operationalise the project, itself a game changer in our economy.
Still within the energy sector, it would be unjust to forget the great work being done to increase power production at Hwange Power Station. The massive project that has been facilitated by the Government, the extraction of coal will drive upwards our foreign currency earnings and assist in the generation of power.
Lupane Govt Hospital
All the above-mentioned projects are an exhibition that the Second Republic under the able leadership of President Mnangagwa has indeed hit the ground running. As of now there is little talk about food shortages and this is because the agricultural concept applied last season, Pfumvudza/Intwasa was a resounding success with many farmers including communal ones recording bumper harvests. Also, the timeous payment of farmers by the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) for their produce has dealt poverty a deadly blow.
Pfumvudza/Intwasa has proven arm chair critics wrong and shown that a hard-working farmer, who listens to scientific advice, plus a willing, supporting Government yield the greatest results. The Government has to be applauded for its role in enabling its farmers to get a proper sustainable income.
As for the much long-awaited water project, the construction of the Lake Gwayi-Shangani, which is inching closer to its completion has brought unspeakable joy to us. Never in my life did I ever dream that I will witness such great strides being made towards this fantastic project.
The amazing commitment, the financial injections against the broader national obligations put in this water project removes any shadow of doubt that Matabeleland North is destined to be the green belt province of the country and even be the envy of the Sadc region. All the villages and districts that lie along the pipeline from the Zambezi River, down to Bulawayo will be marvellous sites of our agricultural revolution.
As for our prime farming district of Umguza, which forms a ring around our second capital, Bulawayo, things are also happening with the upgrading of the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road. So far the road has been resurfaced up to Mbuyazwe Primary School.
This road is very strategic in that farmers use it to transport their produce to the markets in Bulawayo. Umguza District is very important in the economies of Matabeleland North and Bulawayo Metropolitan Province because it is our agricultural hub. Umguza feeds Bulawayo and Bulawayo in turn provides the much needed market for our farmers.
Hwange Power Station
Gariya Dam in Tsholotsho District, how do I leave this massive rehabilitation of our dam in the land of my ancestors where thousands of villagers will benefit here, and several livestock and game too. The project is done and dusted and if the heavens open up again this coming rainy season, the water challenges and issues that come with lack of this precious liquid will be a thing of the past. A high level Government delegation recently visited Gariya where massive work was done.
The implementation of these projects is a demonstration and serious commitment as well as living up to the promises President Mnangagwa made in the run-up to the 2018 harmonised elections. President Mnangagwa has shown that those promises were not a political gimmick, he is walking the talk, he delivers in each and every promise he makes. For that we are blessed to have such a capable and competent leader who deploys the nation’s resources equitably to all corners of the country.
My observation is that since Zimbabweans are set to give him another mandate in 2023, we will continue achieving greatness as a country as far as development is concerned. What President Mnangagwa needs is our unwavering support, which will be doubled up in the forthcoming elections. The 2023 polls will certainly not about sloganeering but will be about issues. Evidence is there on the ground.
Cde Gaule is a former Zanu-PF DCC chairperson for Tsholotsho and Senator. He is currently a member of the Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial executive. He writes in his own capacity.
