Khaya-Moyo sets development agenda for Matabeleland

MINISTER of State in the President's office and the country's vice-president designate Simon Khaya Moyo might have touched the right cord in appeasing the people of Matabeleland who have since independence been crying foul over seemingly calculated marginalisation by central government.

This follows Khaya-Moyo's efforts to promote the government's economic blue-print – the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim Asset) in Matabeleland ostensibly to respond to development calls for the region.

In July this year Khaya-Moyo convened a joint Zanu PF meeting for Bulawayo, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North at Elangeni Centre in Bulawayo to discuss development issues in the region in the backdrop of marginalisation.

Khaya-Moyo who is among senior Zanu PF leaders from the region who have in the past been accused of paying lip service to issues affecting Matabeleland has since conceded that the region was not benefitting from national projects hence the need to harmonize efforts to ascertain that the region leverages on the new economic blueprint launched last year.

On Sunday Khaya-Moyo will conduct a similar meeting of government ministers constituting the economic cluster to present the Zim Asset implementation for Matabeleland in light of company closures due to unstable economic conditions.

Khaya Moyo who is the third in command in Zanu PF hierarchy told Bulawayo24 news that the Elangeni meeting will be attended by Cabinet ministers and the party's Provincial committees from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North and Bulawayo

He revealed that cabinet ministers set to present papers on Zim Asset implementation comprised Agriculture minister Joseph Made, Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment minister Francis Nhema, Mines minister Walter Chidhakwa, Energy minister Dzikamai Mavhaire and Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa,

"These ministers will present papers on the implementation of ZimAsset from a regional perspective with the view of addressing development of issues in Matabeleland especially company closures," Khaya Moyo said.

Although this meeting is expected to dedicate time on addressing the issue of company closures in Bulawayo long known as the country's industrial hub, it is also expected to address mining and farming issues in Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North where despite having natural resources, people languish in poverty.