by Innocent Mujeri
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the land reform programme, which redressed colonial land ownership imbalances by giving land to black Zimbabweans at the turn of the millennium, is irreversible and ZANU PF will not waiver on its obligation of protecting the land.
Speaking at a ZANU PF Central Committee meeting held at the party headquarters today, President Mnangagwa further urged farmers to increase their land preparations as the rainy season is imminent.
“Let me reiterate that the land reform is irreversible. This is one of the key grievances of the liberation struggle and the Party will never waiver on its sacred obligation to protect the land. Hondo yaiva pamusosro pekuti tiwane ivhu redu.Takaritora,hakuna kwarichaenda zvekare.Rava mumaoko edu (The war was about land.Its now our and no one will take it away from us).
The 2020/2021 agriculture season is upon us and land prepartions must be heightened. The Meteorological Service Department has predicted a favourable rainfall season. Let us not be found wanting in our preparedness,” said President Mnangagwa.
President Mnangagwa further said it is pleasing that there has been an overwhelming response and implementation of the Presidential Climate Proofed Pfumvudza Programme across the country. The President further challenged all party leadership from the Politburo to the cell level to be exemplary producers and also lead in promoting and driving the culture of productivity across all sectors.
The President informed the Central Committee members that the Agribank has been converted to Land Bank and farmers should utilise the entity to maximise production on the farms. He then urged farmers to also grow traditional crops and cash crops such as cotton, soya beans and horticulture produce.
President Mnangagwa also took time to inform the Central Committee members of some development programmes, currently being done across the country.
He said Government will continue to facilitate irrigation development, mechanization and extension services. The President also said water inflow into Kariba Dam is increasing and subsequently hydro power generation is also increasing thereby reducing power cuts and import bill.
President Mnangagwa said the construction of Hwange 7 and 8 ,among other power generation projects ,will ensure Zimbabwe becomes power self-sufficient and a net power exporter by 2023.
The President also said road and dam construction projects are progressing well in all provinces. He further said Treasury has released funds towards the construction of Causeway Dam, Chivhu Dam, as well as Gwayi Shangani Dam, among others.
President Mnangagwa further said the Devolution Programme has become an effective mechanism through which the quality of life of people could speedily be uplifted. The President said Zimbabweans should be active participants in the Second Republic’s irreversible developmental activities.
