FORMER Speaker of the National Assembly during Zimbabwe’s government of national unity Lovemore Moyo has challenged the Matobo Rural District Council and other relevant authorities to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of Bulawayo-Kezi Road to attract investments in the area.
Moyo made the call in a paper titled The Matobo Voices from the Rocks, noting the sorry state of the road between the late former Vice-President Joshua Nkomo’s home district, Matobo, and Bulawayo.
He said authorities in the district should engage the Transport and Infrastructural Development ministry to prioritise the rehabilitation and maintenance of Bulawayo-Kezi Road.
“Similarly, I urge the government to speed up the construction of various approved government capital projects in the district.
“Also, I call upon the Matobo RDC and government to revisit the 1999 agreement made in principle to establish the Mambale Border Post project linking Botswana and the Republic of South Africa,” he said.
Moyo said the border post initiative was spearheaded by Matobo RDC under Matobo District Development Scheme in 1995 and had found a private investor who agreed to finance the border project on a build, operate and transfer scheme.
“Actually, the revival and subsequent implementation of this border project will help promote development and economic growth in the Maphisa town because of increased volume of traffic and tourists using the border post passing through the Maphisa town,” Moyo said.
“The other advantage of this proposed border post is that it cuts the Bulawayo to Johannesburg distance by over 200km when compared to the Beitbridge border post route.
“Working together and united, we can make the Maphisa Town Board great and prosperous. Therefore, I humbly make a clarion call to the people of Matobo, at home and in diaspora regardless of our political affiliations, to work together for the good of our district.”
The former MDC Matobo legislator also called on the people in the district to embrace the concept of unity of purpose to achieve sustainable economic development in our district.
Moyo hailed government for recently according to Maphisa Growth Point a town board status, saying the move demonstrated growth and development.
“Indeed, the incredible news of June 14, 2024 about the granting of Maphisa Growth Point a town board status reflects a milestone achievement that came as a consequence of hard work, commitment, perseverance and diligence on the part of the Matobo Rural District Council authorities and other stakeholders,” Moyo said.
He said the Matobo RDC administration should start setting up an urban settlement that requires extraordinary technical expertise, financial resources, and relevant experience.
“The economic growth strategy must be premised on infrastructural development projects, industrialisation, mining, farming and technological development.
“However, there’s an urgent need to undertake an environmental scan for the town board to have appreciation of available natural resources, mining opportunities, farming opportunities, human resources, business opportunities and infrastructure and maintenance.
“Therefore, the surrounding areas and communities must be active participants in the development of both short and long-term strategic plans.
“The stakeholders’ engagement and subsequent involvement of the locals may ease future tensions that may arise as the town board decides to acquire more land for a multi-purpose development strategy.”
The former legislator said authorities in Matobo should urgently facilitate the establishment of the Town Board Council and its administration.
“Secondly, the Matobo RDC must create a Town Board Transitional Committee to spearhead the setting up of the TB administrative structures within a reasonable time frame.
“This committee shall establish thematic committees to shadow the specific town board departments and administrative structures,” he said.
Moyo said Matobo RDC and Maphisa Town Board authorities must prepare necessary paperwork for the new town to access devolution funds and other financial assistance from the government.
Moyo also called on the Matobo RDC authorities, councillors, traditional leaders and all stakeholders to defend their political and economic space for the benefit of the locals.
“Clearly, it’s an inescapable fact that people from outside our district are benefiting more than the locals from our natural resources.”