Mphoko hits nail on the head

Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko put straight the long standing perceptual misconception that there is a deliberate policy of margnalising some parts of the country in terms of development. That the Matabeleland provinces are marginalised, while Mashonaland provinces are havens of development has often been cited as a case in point. However, according to the VP, all provinces in Zimbabwe are identical in terms of the level development. This is authoritative considering that he has been on a nationwide tour that he was assigned by President Robert Mugabe to ascertain the level of development in the country.

VP Mphoko spelt out that the rate of development in all provinces was certainly lagging behind. This stunted growth is attributed to limited capital resources which are essential for the implementation of development projects, bearing in mind that Zimbabwe is a less developed country (LDC) which was slapped with a two decade long regime of illegal sanctions by the US Government and the European Union.

It is worth noting that the ZANU-PF Government is driven by a massive development agenda as evidenced by the Zim-Asset which is an economic turn-around blue print tha is poised to transform the national fortunes as long as adequate funding is mobilized.
The actual scenario on the ground is contrary to the long standing imagined view of spectacular development in Mashonaland Provinces. It is important that I share with readers the other side of some amazing revelations.

It is common knowledge that Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe, in Mashonaland East, is ZANU-PF's stronghold in the country. Interestingly, there is limited development in this area. There is one boarding school, Uzumba High and the rest are day schools with a few that have electricity and tapped water. Over 90% of the road networks are unpaved. For instance, roads linking Nyadire, Tamutsa, Karimbika, Musanhi, Muswe, Manyika, Nhakiwa, Mashambanhaka, Chipfunde, Chure, Nyanzou, Bangari and Machekera among others are in a sorry state. There are limited dip-tanks, hospitals and clinics and police stations. There is one high-way which connects Mrewa Growth Point and Maramba Growth point. This is the situation as it obtains in this part of the country and locals certainly do not feel isolated or marginalised as they understand the concept of unlimited wants or needs in the context of constrained resources.

The same template illustrated about Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe can also be copied and pasted in other places in Mashonaland East like Mutoko, Mudzi, Chindenga, Dzenga, Gwembe, Mabvuta, Gozi, Kapondoro, Rwenya, Chisambiro, Mushimbo, Mangari, Dumaira, Denda, Mavhurazi, Chikomba, Sadza, Mupatsi, Gumbodzvada, Madziwire, Charter, Mupfure, Masasa, Tsunga and other places.

The Government is quite conscious of this universal pathetic level of development. This explains why the Finance Minister, Patrick Chinamasa, is working hard to restore business relations with multilateral institutions like International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB). Zimbabwe is in great anticipation of getting loans in the near future. This will be deployed to cater for infrastructural development and resuscitation of the non-operational industry.

It is every Zimbabwean's responsibility to ensure that we develop Zimbabwe. A classic example was set by a local citizen, a golden woman, Josey Mahachi, who is based in Nigeria. She took a personal initiative to negotiate with Mr Aliko Dangote, a Nigerian billionaire, who is a global investor to come and do business locally. Dangote has since sealed deals in power generation and cement making. These are poised to commence operations this January. Thumbs up to Josey for a job well done.

All Zimbabweans, wherever they are located across the globe, are challenged to feast from the same inspiration that propelled Josey. The same spirit should spur us all to achieve the best for our country in sourcing partners that can transform our economy through investment which in turn will boost our national development.