President Mnangagwa works his magic

THE Office of the President and Cabinet is confident that most ministries met their targets under Government’s second 100-day programme, a senior official said.

The 100-day cycle approach was adopted in Government following the inauguration of President Emmerson Mnangagwa in November last year.

It cascaded down to line ministries and key institutions, with their first 100-day cycle ending on April 10, after which the Government embarked on the second cycle of the 100-day work plan, which again lapsed just before the elections were held.

In December last year, President Mnangagwa tasked all Government ministers to come up with target-driven economic projects for execution in cycles of 100 days.

Deputy Chief Secretary to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), Dr Ray Ndhlukula recently told our Harare Bureau that while projects for the first 100 days were executed using the rapid results approach (RRA), they were largely a learning curve but most ministries achieved their targets.

“The first 100 days went very well, but were largely a learning curve for most ministries,” he said.

In April this year, Vice-President General Constantino Chiwenga (Retired) said in some cases, ministries achieved at least 86 percent of their targets in the first 100-day cycle, while in others they were able to accomplish 100 percent of the set targets.

Dr Ndhlukula said the OPC has already commenced evaluation of the second 100-day cycle projects.

Indications pointed to good progress. The various projects were aimed at reversing Zimbabwe’s years of economic stagnation, and attract increased domestic and foreign direct investment into the country.

President Mnangagwa’s efforts paying dividends. The approach has already started to pay dividends. Following re-engagement efforts with the rest of the world, foreign direct investment commitments to Zimbabwe now run well over $20 billion, a clear reflection that foreign investors have warmed up to President Mnangagwa’s administration policies.

The first 100-day programme saw Zimbabwe making headway in re-engaging the West and addressing a previously poisoned investment climate.

Government amended the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act, which required locals to hold 51 percent stake in all projects. The indigenisation law had been a major discouragement for foreign investors.

However, the 51 percent ownership structure now only applies to the diamond and platinum sectors. Government has also indicated that it is in the process of crafting a policy to guide the two sectors.

Significant progress has also been made in mending relations with global lenders and improving the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe.

The country is also working towards being re-admitted into the Commonwealth. This will open several other opportunities for Zimbabwe.

Significant amounts have been invested in the rehabilitation and expansion of key infrastructure such as roads, airports and bridges right across the country’s 10 administrative provinces.

For example, the Kariba South expansion project was recently completed at a cost of $533 million to add 300 megawatts to the national grid.

The release of over $100 million by Treasury and $54 million by the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) has already seen the reconstruction or resealing of 504 kilometres of surfaced roads, with 1 100km of the surfaced roads being premix pothole patched between January to June alone, compared to last years’ total of 721km and 7 501km respectively.

Also, between January and June 2018, 18 600km of rural gravel roads were graded, 914km gravel roads were re-gravelled, 40 damaged bridges were repaired while 317 new culverts were constructed.

ED brings $4,2b platinum project to life

President Mnangagwa recently launched the $4,2 billion Karo Resources consolidated platinum project in Mhondoro-Mubaira, which is set to create a combined 90 000 jobs as Government steps up efforts to revive the economy.

The first 15 000 jobs will come directly from employment by Karo Resources, while 75 000 will be created through secondary and tertiary industries when the project reaches its peak by 2023.

On top of that, the Karo Resources platinum mining project, one of the biggest investments secured under President Mnangagwa’s administration, will generate 300 megawatts of solar energy — part of which will feed into the national grid.

As part of the investment, Karo Resources will build a world class mining complex with a refinery for platinum beneficiation.

The refinery will have concentration, smelting and refining capabilities, including a base metal and precious metal refineries.

The President’s vision all the way

President Mnangagwa outlined his broad vision when he took the oath of office on November 24 last year.

He said the highlights of his vision include fostering aspects of a free market economy in which free enterprise is allowed, encouraged and protected; promoting mutually beneficial partnerships with investors; ensuring people access their savings from banks as and when they require them; dealing decisively with the scourge of corruption, prioritising economic growth; ensuring financial sector viability and stability; adopting a high performance culture in the public service and pursing a steady re-engagement with all nations of the world.

Guided by this vision, the President has led by example, setting himself time-framed targets as his Government works towards building Zimbabwe into a middle income country by 2030.

There is an urgent need to turn around Zimbabwe’s economy following close to two decades of stagnation.