MPs demand ministerial statement on El Niño drought
LEGISLATORS have demanded a Ministerial Statement from the government to explain measures in place to deal with the El Niño-induced drought.
Zimbabwe has not been spared the harsh effects of El Niño weather phenomenon that have left at least 24 million people in southern Africa facing hunger, according to Oxfam.
Humanitarian agencies said at least 4 million Zimbabweans would be in need of food aid till the next harvest season.
On Wednesday, Zimbabwe joined Zambia and Malawi in declaring the drought a national disaster to mobilise resources to feed hungry citizens.
Members of Parliament demanded a ministerial statement on measures put in place by government to ensure citizens are fed.
“The point of order is to do with the question concerning the El Niño-induced drought,” Dangamvura legislator Prosper Mutseyami (CCC) said.
“Is it possible with your indulgence Madam Speaker, that the esteemed minister brings a ministerial statement so that the members have ample time to interrogate issues.
“I brought this suggestion bearing in mind the enthusiasm of the constituencies to know what is happening considering the level of drought that we have.”
Another CCC MP Clifford Hlatywayo also demanded a ministerial statement on government preparedness to deal with the drought.
“A declaration has since been made on the state of national disaster and it is a good thing that we now have that,” Hlatywayo said.
“What took us so long, especially given that other countries had already done so in the region for example Malawi and Zambia also, taking into consideration that we are looking at the same pot in terms of the resources that are supposed to come from development partners, what took us so long.”
Public Service minister July Moyo said he would bring the statement after engaging his counterpart.
“It will be a joint ministerial statement. I cannot make the statement without the Minister of Agriculture, it will be meaningless,” he said.
“I will consult my colleague whether we can issue a joint ministerial statement so that this House has a full picture of what the government is doing."
There are fears that food aid will be politicised.
Government has been boasting of having enough grain reserves until on Wednesday when President Emmerson Mnangagwa said US$2 billion was needed to deal with the drought.