‘Share business info to uplift people’s lives’
MINISTER of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, has urged heads of Government departments and the business community to share information that brings development to the province.
Speaking during a meeting with heads of Government departments, local authorities and the business community at her offices yesterday, Sen Mutsvangwa, said: “We need to uplift people’s lives in Manicaland and it can be done. If we work hard we will be able to uplift people’s lives in Manicaland.”
Sen Mutsvangwa said after evaluating activities that have been happening in Manicaland there would be need to identify the problems that have been stalking development.
“We need to work and be honest to each other,” she said. “We should shun all the bad behaviours and cultures, which were hampering development in Manicaland. Let us start from a clean slate. There are a lot of things that need to be done. The objective is development.” MUTARE City has been declared a malaria zone following a high incidence of the disease, which saw 3 200 positive cases being identified and the resultant 31 deaths during this malaria season, a city official has revealed.
The peak of the malaria season is between February and March.
In an interview with The Herald last Friday, Mutare City public relations officer, Mr Spren Mutiwi said communities should implement malaria control strategies such as doing away with all water sources that create breeding places for
Sen Mutsvangwa called for foreign direct investment as the amount needed for infrastructure development could not be sourced locally.
“At this stage we need foreign direct investment,” she said. “We need investors to come into our country. The amount of infrastructure development we need cannot be done by just domestic resource mobilisation. That is one thing that we should be very clear about.
“We need foreign direct investment and anybody who has the money cannot come into our country with his or her money if there is discord and policy inconsistencies.
“No one would want to invest in our country. It is us who create that investor friendly environment and we need to create that investor friendly environment in Manicaland because we have so much in this province.”
Sen Mutsvangwa said there was need for unity of purpose as unity and peace were the prerequisites for development.
“As I was listening to the introductions I said ok, my job is done,” she said. “If each and every one of you wants Manicaland to move forward, I will just facilitate. I am not dictating to anybody because work happens, progress happens where there is mutual understanding.
“We then move forward together. If there is anything I am not able to see the way you are seeing it, then convince me so that I will see the way you are seeing it.”
Sen Mutsvangwa said she had an open door policy and welcomed all people’s ideas.
She urged people not to withhold information that brought development to the province.
“I will take the good work which was being done and move forward,” said Sen Mutsvangwa.
“I have an open door policy and I always tell people that I keep a sieve in my office and it is an open door office. Bring in new ideas and I will put them in there and sieve and we carry all the best which will carry Manicaland forward.”
Sen Mutsvangwa said if things were done properly, they would be able to correct all the mistakes which were done before she assumed office.
She warned those with criminal tendencies not to approach her, saying there was no room for bribery in her office.
Sen Mutsvangwa said she was very much alive to the objectives she needed to achieve.
“I am a clean person,” she said. “Where I am coming from is very clean. I work hard and I have worked very hard for my life. If I had bad skeletons in my closet they would have burst during the past two years.
“Please, don’t try to come and bribe me. My expectations are very high.”