Zanu-PF agrees to speedy completion of Matabeleland projects

Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
ZANU-PF has directed the Government to expedite the completion of key infrastructure development projects in Matabeleland region including the construction of the Lake Gwayi -Tshangani and Lupane Provincial Hospital.
The ruling party further recommended that July 1 be declared a national holiday in honour of the late decorated national hero, and Father Zimbabwe, Dr Joshua Nkomo.
The ruling party also resolved that the Government should timeously disburse funds for the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM), which pays school fees for thousands of vulnerable learners.
These resolutions, among others, were arrived at during the 21st Zanu-PF National People’s Conference, which ended in Bulawayo on Saturday under the theme: “Industrialise and Modernise Towards the Attainment of Vision 2030”.
The party’s secretary for legal affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, presented the resolutions at the close of the national conference at the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre.
“The party directs the Government to capacitate provincial and district hospitals with ambulances, expedite the completion of Lupane Provincial Hospital, expedite the development of Lupane as the provincial capital for Matabeleland North and expedite the establishment of the School of Hospitality Industry in Victoria Falls while accelerating the provision of low-cost housing,” said Cde Chinamasa.

File photo: Construction of the lake Gwayi-Shangani Mini Hydropower Station is underway. In the picture, workers carry out fabrication and installation of the penstock – Picture: Eliah Saushoma
He said there is also a need to fast track the construction of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani, which will guarantee food security in Matabeleland North while providing Bulawayo with a permanent water solution.
Cabinet has already issued directives that civil servants deployed in Matabeleland North relocate to Lupane. Some of these projects have been put on halt due to the erratic disbursement for the project.
Cde Chinamasa said Zanu-PF delegates further resolved that the Government should provide free medication to health care services to the elderly, minors, persons with disabilities, marginalised and the vulnerable groups.
He said the party reiterated the need for the Government to improve access to health for all and adequately stocking all health facilities with essential drugs, medicines and equipment.
“The party directs Government to establish mobile health care facilities in all communities where there are no primary and maternal health care services, expedite the establishment of the national health insurance scheme; develop and implement a programme that supports the existing Government policy that aims to provide free of charge health services for pregnant and lactating mothers, children under five and those aged 60 and above,” said Cde Chinamasa.
He said the ruling party is cognisant of the need for an inclusive education system and has directed the Treasury to clear fees for children benefiting under the BEAM programme.
“The party directs the Government to ensure that legacy arrears arising from BEAM commitments are cleared and funds due under the programme are timeously released, ensuring that BEAM beneficiaries are not sent away from school due to delayed payment or fees,” said Cde Chinamasa.
In view of the need to develop an efficient public transport system, he the conference emphasised the need for the Government to capacitate the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) to improve service delivery.
To ensure national food security, Cde Chinamasa said the ruling party directed the Government to equip irrigation systems with modern equipment.
“The party directs Government to: intensify the upgrading and modernisation of irrigation and power generation infrastructure at existing water bodies, as well as installation of irrigation and power generation infrastructure at any idle water body, recapitalise the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) to strengthen the development agenda, increase rural electrification with focus on renewable energy, embark on an accelerated development programme to reduce the power generation deficit,” he said.

Rural electrification projects
Cde Chinamasa said the Zanu-PF conference noted that Government should promulgate laws that protect local producers against the proliferation of fake products, counterfeit, underweight, hazardous, improperly labelled and smuggled goods.
He said the party also wants the Government to provide a living wage to civil servants.
“The party directs Government to: strengthen monitoring mechanisms to enforce adherence to labour laws especially in the private sector, develop a programme that ensures efficiency, transparency, equity, inclusivity and speed in the distribution of drought relief to all vulnerable citizens immediately,” he said.
“The party directs Government to expedite the operationalisation, including digitalisation, of the National Disaster Management Centre,” said Cde Chinamasa.
“Ensure the urgent development and implementation of a comprehensive and transformative programme that is consistent with an upper-middle-income society for civil servants working conditions, urgently review the public and private pension policies to improve and safeguard the welfare of pensioners and the parameters of strengthening all pension funds as guided among others by the Justice Smith Commission report.”- @nqotshili
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