by Charles Motsi

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has called upon those in the engineering field to heed his call for a better Zimbabwe that is led by innovative individuals who will ensure that the country attains its goal of a middle income economy by 2030.

"For us to realise our dream to achieve middle income status, the role of engineers can never be ignored as they offer and form the backbone required by all the other fields to flourish," said the President.

The President made these remarks today while addressing the Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment and Development Conference in Victoria Falls.

President Mnangagwa encouraged engineers to keep on evolving their skills to match world class standards and pledged that Government would do all it could to support teaching institutions to produce the best engineers who were industry ready.   

"We need to grow our economy through the promotion of innovation because our economy will only be driven by excellence in engineering, I promise that my Government will provide the necessary framework for training that will add value to our industries," said the President.

"It's important that the engineering sector situates its role to alleviate poverty and improve the lives of our people," he said.

In line with Government’s policy of creating import substitution strategies complimented by investments into value addition and beneficiation technology to tame the current trade imbalance, the President urged engineers to also have a keen interest in the business side of their sector.

“I implore you all to be more involved in the business aspect of your field as the country has embarked on a program of value addition. We need more employment creators not just employees,” said President Mnangagwa.

He reiterated that Government would not tolerate the scourge of corruption and promised that his office would do all it could to uproot it as it was the main hindrance to development.

"My government will not brook any corruption. And perpetrators will be brought to book," said the President.

About 300 civil, mechanical, architecture and science engineers as well as engineering consultants are attending the three day conference which started on Tuesday.