Midlands sets out NDS1 priorities
MIDLANDS yesterday set out its development priorities built on rich minerals and diverse agricultural activities in a bid to transform the province into an investment and economic zone in line with the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
Speaking at the launch of the provincial development strategy in Gweru, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Larry Mavima, said the province was poised to be the leading in the country thanks to its rich mineral deposits and agriculture activities.
“As the Midlands province, we are leading in terms of dairy production, cotton production while in the mining sector we have platinum, gold, chrome and iron ore, so we have no excuse. We have to be the leading province in steering the country under the NDS1,” he said.
Minister Mavima said the province also boasts the biggest university in terms of enrolment, Midlands State University, and should tap from the technocrats to grow the province’s GDP.
Under the Second Republic, provinces are also required to craft their own economic development plans guided by the national steering committee as the country moves a gear up in its journey to achieve an upper middle economy by the year 2030.
“The national steering committee will provide us with technical advice in developing our strategy. We are committed to our agenda of developing and transforming the province and the nation at large,” he said.
Minister Mavima challenged the private sector to take advantage of the NDS1 to create opportunities.
“They should take advantage of this initiative by Government to create bigger economic opportunities, creating new jobs, promote innovation increase productivity and generate forex through exports.”
Local authorities should also take advantage of the devolution which was now a reality under the Second Republic to grow their economies.
The local authorities must transform themselves into centres of excellence for local governance in order to realise growth of the provincial GDP.
“Local authorities must fully embrace devolution and Vision 2030 agenda by shaking off past practices, shun corruption and embrace a new culture of doing business focusing more on the development of their jurisdiction.
“Local authorities must prioritise issues of economic development and revisit all policies, by-laws, practices that are inimical to economic development,”said Chief Mapanzure of Zvishavane,
Midlands provincial Agritex officer, Mrs Madeline Magwenzi, who attended the meeting, stressed the need to factor in climate change in all development plans.
“Let us consider that our province is largely in ecological regions 4 and 5 which are vulnerable to drought patterns and flooding caused by climate change. In this regard we must implement sustainable agricultural practices for the benefit of the farmer.”