News / National
Matabeleland pressure group initiates anti de-industrialisation petition
23 Jan 2011 at 17:09hrs | Views
Local pressure group Ibhetshu likaZulu is working on presenting a petition to leaders of the inclusive government to register their disgruntlement over the relocation of major companies from Bulawayo to Harare.
An official from the group, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said the petition which will be signed by stakeholders including residents would be sent to local government leaders, Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khuphe, Vice President John Landa Nkomo and Minister of Industry and Trade Welshman Ncube.
"We are looking forward to ensuring that all residents associations, civic society organisations and businesspeople will take part in signing the petition which will also be copied to locally based legislators to highlight to them how we feel about the rise in capital flight," Fuzwayo said.
Ibhetshu likaZulu said they were also in the process of mobilising locals to take part in demonstrating against the current government for failing to protect the people of Matabeleland by denouncing marginalisation.
Bulawayo residents are feeling the pinch of losing their jobs and cutting family ties as several companies including National Foods and Hunyani Printopak continue to relocate to Harare.
"Most residents said that the move is intolerable mainly because institutions that operate from Harare hardly ever benefit this part of the country," read a statement released by Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA).
"They have said that there is no guarantee that whatever will be produced will trickle down from Harare."
According to BPRA residents were questioning how the financial, logistical and operational challenges, which have been stated as reasons for the relocation, would be overcome in Harare and whether it was impossible to implement those in Bulawayo.
The relocations are on the rise at a time when the people are clamouring for devolution of power as a means of ensuring that different regions are at par in terms of development.
The relocations threatened the city's image of being the hub of the country's industries at the same time increasing significantly the number of the unemployed.
An official from the group, Mbuso Fuzwayo, said the petition which will be signed by stakeholders including residents would be sent to local government leaders, Deputy Prime Minister, Thokozani Khuphe, Vice President John Landa Nkomo and Minister of Industry and Trade Welshman Ncube.
"We are looking forward to ensuring that all residents associations, civic society organisations and businesspeople will take part in signing the petition which will also be copied to locally based legislators to highlight to them how we feel about the rise in capital flight," Fuzwayo said.
Ibhetshu likaZulu said they were also in the process of mobilising locals to take part in demonstrating against the current government for failing to protect the people of Matabeleland by denouncing marginalisation.
Bulawayo residents are feeling the pinch of losing their jobs and cutting family ties as several companies including National Foods and Hunyani Printopak continue to relocate to Harare.
"They have said that there is no guarantee that whatever will be produced will trickle down from Harare."
According to BPRA residents were questioning how the financial, logistical and operational challenges, which have been stated as reasons for the relocation, would be overcome in Harare and whether it was impossible to implement those in Bulawayo.
The relocations are on the rise at a time when the people are clamouring for devolution of power as a means of ensuring that different regions are at par in terms of development.
The relocations threatened the city's image of being the hub of the country's industries at the same time increasing significantly the number of the unemployed.
Source - Byo24NEWS
