Binga companies snub indigenisation drive

Zanu PF politburo member Samuel Mugande has accused companies operating in the district of resisting the government economic empowerment programme.

Mugande who is also Binga District Youth Officer said the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment ministry had visited all companies to hold discussions on indigenisation but none of them has been forthcoming.

He said stakeholders have also met and agreed that the only way in which the locals can benefit from the programme is to launch a Community Share Ownership Trust since all the companies that benefit from the natural resources have not even returned the forms to the Ministry for it to see whether they meet the criteria that is outlined in the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.

He said the district has opportunities to develop as long as the companies which are mainly in the fisheries and safari business cooperate and compliment government efforts.

Binga has great potential in mining, agriculture and tourism due to its attractive sites that include hot springs and Chizarira National Park among others, but continues to lag behind in terms of development despite some companies using its natural resources to accumulate wealth.

The indigenisation and economic empowerment programme was initiated by the government to economically empower the black majority.