Story by Mercy Bofu-Matinha
THE African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) has commended the government’s devolution programme for ensuring equitable development in Zimbabwe.
As the assessment of the country’s compliance with international governance standards continues, the APRM delegation was in Masvingo this Friday. They started with a courtesy call on Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira, before meeting various stakeholders at Great Zimbabwe University Law School.
Honourable Chadzamira took the opportunity to brief the team on the developments happening in the province, centred on transforming people’s livelihoods through agriculture development and value addition.
“As a province, we are driving a bold and ambitious agenda of becoming a US$8 billion economy by 2030 in line with President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s vision. The 2024 ZIMSTAT Economic Performance reflects that the real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for Masvingo Province was ZiG$59.13 billion, contributing about 7.2 percent to the national GDP. The key drivers of economic activities were agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, wholesale, retail, tourism, and mining,” he said.
Chairperson of the National Governing Council for the APRM, Ambassador James Manzou, reiterated that the review process allows for broader stakeholder engagement at the grassroots level.
“Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that this phase allows for broader stakeholder engagement at the grassroots level, promoting inclusion. Again, allow me to reaffirm that Zimbabwe remains fully committed to the principles of good governance, recognising these as fundamental pillars for democracy, peace, and sustainable development,” he noted.
The APRM mission acknowledged the devolution programme for ensuring equitable development.
“Devolution is a living expression of participatory governance, bringing decision-making closer to the people and ensuring that every citizen has a voice in shaping their development. The APRM commends the role of provincial leadership in driving inclusive, equitable, and responsive development, and reaffirms its commitment to supporting Zimbabwe in this transformative journey towards good governance and sustainable prosperity,” Director Country Review and Coordination for the APRM Continental Secretariat, Dr Rachel Mukamunana said.
Some of the stakeholders who attended the APRM engagement spoke on the importance of the programme.
“The engagements we attended today were so encouraging, the most important part being that they are being conducted by our fellow Africans, who understand our situation and appreciate our efforts in ensuring good governance and devolution,” a beneficiary noted.
“We commend our President, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa, for spearheading development, and he was confident to invite this team to conduct this peer review focusing on economic governance and management,” another beneficiary added.
The APRM delegation proceeded to the Great Zimbabwe Hydro-power plant, one of the projects established by the Second Republic.
“We are happy with the development we witnessed today, that the people of Zimbabwe are using local resources to develop. Water from a local dam, and we hear that since the establishment of this energy project, electricity availability has improved,” APRM International Consultant, Dr Samuel Njoroge said.
Similar consultations are currently being carried out in all the provinces, and the engagements will inform the final report of the country’s targeted economic review process.
