Cabinet approves Roadmap to Electricity Self-Sufficiency
CABINET received and considered the report on the update on the current fertiliser supply, demand and price situation. The nation is advised that the national demand for fertilisers is estimated at 400 000 tonnes of basal and 380 000 tonnes of top dressing per annum for both the summer and winter cropping season.
The local fertiliser industry is having challenges and the supply gap is being covered largely by imports. The current fertiliser stocks held by the Zimbabwe Fertiliser Manufacturers Association (ZFMA) and those under the Collateral Management Agreement (CMA) have indicated that they have challenges meeting the surging demand ahead of imminent summer season.
Meanwhile, the Government has approved that farmers import fertilisers directly from suppliers outside the country to augment local supplies whilst Government develops a longterm solution to the fertiliser challenges.
THE CEMENT INDUSTRY MARKET SUPPLY AND DEMAND SITUATION
Cabinet considered the report on the Cement Industry Market Supply and Demand situation as presented by the Minister of Industry and Commerce, Honourable Dr. Sithembiso Nyoni.
The nation is advised that following reports of artificial cement shortage in the market and the spiralling prices Cabinet has approved the importation of cement by individuals and companies with free funds.
PROPOSED ROADMAP TO ELECTRICITY SELF-SUFFICIENCY
Cabinet considered and approved the Roadmap to Electricity Self-Sufficiency as presented by the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Honourable Edgar Moyo.
Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the current local generation capacity is 1 280 megawatts (MW) against the current average local demand of about 1 850MW, leaving a deficit of about 400MW. To cover the deficit, the country is currently importing power in the range of 200-500MW.
Regarding measures to resolve the operational challenges, the Government will restructure the power utility company (ZESA); decommission and repurpose the small thermal power stations; contain technical and non-technical losses and implement various power saving initiatives. In the medium to long term, the Government will embrace Private Sector led Coal Mining Initiatives and new technologies such as green hydrogen, floating solar panels; battery energy storage systems and funding some of the renewable energy projects dotted around the country in order to increase domestic generation of electricity.
REPORT ON THE 3RD 100-DAY CYCLE PROJECTS OF 2023
Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementation of priority projects for the 3rd 100-Day Cycle of 2023, as presented by the Ministers of Health and Child Care; Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Local Government and Public Works; and Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
The Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora reported on progress recorded for projects under his purview as follows:
i. drilling and installation of solar powered boreholes has been completed at 10 health facilities in the Manicaland Province;
ii. construction of the Bhale Health post in Hwange District has reached 70 percent of completion;
iii. construction of Mutare Natpharm warehouse is 98 percent complete;
iv. installation of medical gas reticulation at Banket, Chivhu and Victoria Falls hospitals is at 98 percent, 97 percent and 80 percent of completion, respectively; and
v. Construction of Runyararo Clinic (Chimanimani District) is 85 percent complete, while Mataga Clinic (Mberengwa District) is 100 percent complete.
The Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Honourable Kazembe Kazembe reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:
i. preliminary engagements were done with stakeholders for the establishment of Community Archives in the former Mashonaland Central Protected Villages;
ii. the Harava waiting Mothers’ shelter in Zaka District, Masvingo province is 96 percent complete;
iii. construction of the ZRP Dotito station, Mount Darwin District, Mashonaland Central Province has reached 95 percent of completion; and
iv. decentralisation of E-passport services to Mwenezi District, Masvingo Province has commenced, with materials now on site.
The Acting Minister of Local Government and Public Works Honourable July Moyo reported on progress recorded for projects under the Ministry’s purview as follows:
i. electrical reticulation at the Lupane Composite Offices is at 10 percent of completion;
ii. construction of the perimeter wall at Mutare DDC is 77 percent complete;
iii. construction of roads in Mashonaland Central, Manicaland, Masvingo, and Mashonaland East Provinces under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2) through Devolution funds are at different stages of completion;
iv. construction of staff houses at Gutu Secondary School is at 70 percent of completion, the science laboratory at Chitimbe High School is 98 percent complete, a classroom block at Musiya Primary School is 65 percent complete, a classroom block at Nyamanzou Primary School is 50 percent complete, while a classroom block at Rujeko School is 98 percent complete;
v. projects to enhance access to water and sanitation at Asiphakameni Secondary School, Lupane (Matabeleland North), Phakama Primary School, Silozwi Clinic, and Ndabankulu Maribehe Primary School (Matabeleland South) are over 80 percent complete; and
vi. construction of Mashala and Mkhombo Clinics in Matabeleland North are at 80 percent and 45 percent of completion, respectively.
The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Honourable July Moyo reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:
i. a total of 9 066 children were reached through awareness raising skills, while 110 social service providers were trained to offer online counseling and support victims of online violence against children;
ii. construction of a cottage and a hut, under the Project Dzimba and Portable Water, for Mr. Moses Nyakabau of Mutoko, a grossly disabled pensioner has been completed;
iii. authority to train 162 Arbitrators on the New Provisions of the Labour Amendment Act, No. 11 of 2023 has been granted; and
iv. 100 White Canes were procured for 100 blind persons in Chikomba District Mashonaland East Province.
ZIMBABWE’S HOSTING THE 56TH SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICAN MINISTERS OF FINANCE, PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (COM24): 28FEBRUARY TO 5 MARCH 2024 , VICTORIA FALLS
Cabinet considered and approved Zimbabwe’s Hosting of the 56th Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development as presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube.
The nation is informed that at the Fifty-fifth Session of the United Nations Economic Commission for African (UNECA) Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from 15 to 21 March 2023, Zimbabwe was confirmed as host of the Fifty-sixth Session (COM24) during the period 28 February to 5 March 2024. The conference will be held under the theme “Bolstering financing mechanisms and policy frameworks for the transition to prosperous, just and inclusive green economies in Africa”.
The event is expected to be attended by about 1 000 people from the continent and beyond comprising of Government officials, civil society, the UN family, experts, among others. The Conference, therefore, presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to enhance its global image and to market the Victoria Falls as a tourist destination of choice.
The event will consist of two meetings as follows: Committee of Experts for technical deliberations on the theme and statutory issues of the conference during the first three days (28 February to 01 March 2024) and the Conference of Ministers for the last two days(45March 2024). The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa will be working with the Government of Zimbabwe represented by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in spearheading the organisation of the Conference.
REQUEST TO HOST UNITED NATIONS FRAMEWORK ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC) REGIONAL WORKSHOP IN 2024
Cabinet considered and approved the request for Zimbabwe to host the United Nations Framework on Climate Change Regional Workshop in 2024 as presented by the Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Honourable Mangaliso Ndlovu.
The nation is being informed that Zimbabwe will host a three-day Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) Africa Regional Workshop in Victoria Falls in 2024. The Consultative Group of Experts (CGE) is a constituted Body under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement. Its mandate is to provide technical advice and support to developing country Parties in fulfilling their reporting requirements on adaptation, mitigation and support needed for climate action.
Zimbabwe’s hosting of the event will benefit the country through having more experts participating, earning more foreign currency, and presenting an opportunity to market the country as a safe travel and tourism destination. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat will cover all the costs associated with hosting the Workshop.
UPDATE ON THE NATIONAL CHOLERA OUTBREAK RESPONSE
Cabinet received an update on the cholera outbreak as presented by the Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Dr. Douglas Mombeshora.
In response to the cholera challenges, orders for medicines and commodities have been placed through Natpharm, prioritizing local manufacturers to minimize on lead time. Treasury has since approved a budget of US$12 million for cholera preparedness and response. Screening of all travellers and awareness campaigns are ongoing at all points of entry, while health education on cholera prevention and control measures including hygiene promotion is being carried out in the provinces. Cabinet has directed as follows: a) that intensified Risk Communication and Community engagement including involvement of religious and local leadership, intensified school health education on cholera and other diarrhoeal diseases, and utilization of existing media houses and digital platforms for content dissemination be continued in all provinces especially Chitungwiza and Buhera;
b) that there be improved safe water access to communities through rehabilitation of boreholes and drilling of new ones; and
c) that public health measures be enforced in all communities reporting cholera cases, including restrictions of gatherings in all choleraaffected areas, and supervision of all burials in all cholera affected areas.
REPORT ON THE OCCASION OF THE SADC EXTRAORDINARY SUMMIT: LUANDA, ANGOLA: 4 NOVEMBER 2023
Cabinet received and considered the Report on the SADC Extraordinary Summit which was held in Luanda, Angola on the 4th of November 2023 as presented by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri.
The Summit considered the report of the Extraordinary Meetings of Council of Ministers and Organ Troika Summit, held on 26 and 28 September 22023, regarding the deployment of the SADC Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its indicative budget.
The Summit resolved that the SADC Force Intervention Brigade will be the nucleus of SADC’s intervention in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Summit congratulated Zimbabwe for hosting free, fair, peaceful and credible elections held in August 2023.
THE United States of America’s unprecedented blind support for Israel even when the Zionist state is committing genocide against the Palestinians, has reached fever pitch with President Joe Biden seeking to use funds seized from Libya to fund Tel Aviv.
Official US Treasury reports say the US is holding on to US$34 billion in its banks it froze from Libyan accounts, just before launching the military offensive that killed Gaddafi. Now it is applying to use the same funds to prop up Israel’s military attack on Palestine.
Libya is one of Africa’s richest countries whose Pan African plinth has been core to strengthening the African Union but is reeling under severe economic stress since the military intervention by US and its allies and this has left its people highly impoverished. To take its money and use it to fund Israel is not a good idea by an iota of humanism.
This is a very sad development that shows US thuggery, injustice, bully tactics and lack of morality.
African leaders are very worried about this move and corridors of power are shaking.
It is common knowledge that current war between Israel and Palestine came at a time when the Russia-Ukraine war had drained US Treasury of trillions of dollars and Washington was already talking of planning to abandon US support to Kyiv.
While the discussion in US Treasury to stop supporting Ukraine was gaining traction, the current Palestine-Israel war broke out and Washington found itself in sixes and sevens, financially.
Now the US has mooted a plan to use part or all of the US$34 billion dollars of Libyan money frozen in its banks to support Israel.
Now that is very cruel and unacceptable by any measure of morality.
The African Union (AU) and the Arab League together with other progressive thinking people in the world have redflagged US’s move to us the Libyan money for all the wrong reasons.
The bone of contention by diplomats is that the US should stop engaging in military escapades its Treasury cannot afford.
It is senseless, to steal and unilaterally invest another country’s money to support a war it does not believe in. Libyans do not believe in Israel killing Palestinians like flies.
Millions of Libyan people are suffering from disease, hunger, starvation and lamentation and need that money to rebuild their country from the strife caused by the military intervention of the US and its allies that killed President Muammar Gaddafi.
To steal Libyan money and invest it in a mad and unnecessary war against Palestinians, is not only to be cruel but world class crass.
Of course, we all know that the Libyan people are among the strongest supporters of the state of Palestine sine the Nakba of 1948 but they should not be punished for it.