By shadreck Gurenje
President Mnangagwa has said the ongoing devolution agenda is also critically important for national unity, social cohesion and safeguarding the indivisibility of Zimbabwe as a sovereign-unitary state.
Giving his keynote address at the meeting with Ministers of State for provincial affairs and devolution at State House in Harare, President Emmerson Mnangagwa directed Provincial affairs Ministers across all the country’s 10 provinces to demonstrate the leadership capabilities integrity and humility that rallies all province to ensure that the nation live in unity, peace and harmony.
“Devolution is also critically important for national unity, social cohesion and safeguarding the indivisibility of Zimbabwe as a sovereign-unitary state. As Provincial Minister you are directed to demonstrate the leadership capability, integrity and humility that rallies all our communities across all Districts. , within provinces around common national vision and the indivisibility of our country.
“You have a duty at the grassroots level to ensure that our society has vitality and hope, living in unity, peace and harmony. It is under such environments that we can realise sustainable development and prosperity for our motherland for both present and future generations, ”said President Mnangagwa.
The Head of State and Government has also urged the provincial ministers to advance the industrialisation and modernisation across their communities and provinces.
President Mnangagwa also reiterated that the culture of collective responsibility and enhanced coordination must be nurtured and strengthened across Ministries Departments and Agencies.
“As Ministers of Provincial Affairs, you must fully play your part to advance the industrialisation and modernisation of our communities, districts and provinces. You should lead from the front in championing the implementation of people-centred development projects in a coherent manner, leaving no one and no place behind. You are assured of the support of central Government in all your endeavours.
“Meanwhile, the culture of collective responsibility and enhanced coordination should be nurtured and strengthened across Ministries Departments and Agencies more-so at the provincial level, for highly impactful results. The positive work ethic and organisational agility which are now more evident across Provinces, must be sustained, as we march forward to Vision 2030, ”said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa also challenged the provincial ministers to submit some progress reports on their provincial affairs and take note of new area earmarked for development.
““May I emphasise that for the Government to have an effective national Devolution Agenda. Ministries of Stale for Provincial Affairs and Devolution must submit comprehensive and timely reports.
“These include both adhoc as well as routine reports on the state of provinces highlighting all aspects including those on economic affairs. It is however, unfortunate that some Provinces are failing to make these submissions resulting in gaps and jerks in the coordination of Government programmes and projects. This is unacceptable and tantamount to dereliction of duty.
“Similarly, the non-attendance to Cabinet Committee meetings by some Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution in 2024 was glaring. As a result. Cabinet Committee submissions missed vital input from Provinces. This anomaly must be adequately addressed.
“I expect Provinces to emerge stronger, dynamic and competitive economic hubs with marked growth across aIl sectors,”said President Mnangagwa.