By Gift Mashoko
President Emmerson Mnangagwa today met with the Private Sector involved in the restoration of infrastructure and development in Cyclone Idai hit areas to discuss ways of bringing normalcy.
President Mnangagwa appealed to private companies to work on reconstructing the communities and adopt any of the devastated infrastructures in the affected areas so as to return normalcy.
“I appeal to you and with your own influence, networking and connections to rise and support the reconstruction of the lives of these communities. I encourage you as captains of industry, churches and so on to adopt not only one, but more.
“Adopt a bridge, a school, a clinic and generations to come will say, yes my company had a hand in the restoration of life of our people in those areas,” he said.
President Mnangagwa went on to say that, “I think we now need modern toilets, if we do not do this, the aftermath of this destruction may see us being visited by diseases like cholera, diarrhoea and typhoid and so on. It is possible that such an incident (cyclone) can come again, but this was the most devastating one.
“We never know whether we will have worse in future, but we must be prepared. We would want to do our best to restore normalcy to these communities.”
President Mnangagwa said that he had invited captains of industry so that they could work together with Government.
“This is why I called you, that as industry and commerce, what can we do? I have no answer, but I felt that my role with my team is to call you and tell you the challenge which we are facing and hope that those among you, who may feel compassionate, can interrogate themselves to say, what can I do.
“We as Government are going to do a lot. Government may divert some resources from other things because we think it is necessary. That way, they then feel they are part of Zimbabwe, they are not neglected,” he said.
He went on to say that, “The Government, my administration is committed to rebuilding these communities, give them housing, create new settlements. It is necessary therefore with the spirit of oneness, the spirit of compassion the spirit of love and ubuntu which so far we have exhibited as a people. We should continue to support our people.”
He highlighted that the Transition Stabilisation Programme (TSP) which Government introduced calls on the Private sector to assist in the modernisation of the economy.
“We have of course the TSP, which in fact even before this disaster, recognises the imperative need that the private sector should drive the economic development, drive development and drive industrialisation. Government must create an environment where the private sector must strive in driving and modernising our economy. I believe that we are together sharing the concept that no one should be left behind,” said President Mnangagwa.
He went on to encourage the corporate sector to make sure that these affected communities are assisted so that they develop together with others. The expertise for reconstruction, he said, did not only lie in the public sector, but also in the private sector.
