Story by Courage Bushe
CHIEFS from the Midlands Province have commended the Second Republic for availing a platform to spearhead development projects in line with the rural industrialisation agenda.
The traditional leaders who met government officials in Gweru for the Provincial Chiefs Council Meeting emphasised the importance of spearheading developmental programmes from grassroots level as expected in the National Development Strategy Two(NDS2).
They also reaffirmed commitment to foster unity and development in their communities.
“We will continue to support our government as we drive towards Vision 2030. This meeting was meant to formulate policies and frameworks as chiefs from the Midlands province, to discuss how we can improve development and other areas of cooperation. We are mandated by the government to sit at least twice per year and come up with recommendations that can be adopted by the government for implementation,” Midlands Provincial Chiefs Council Chairperson, Chief Ngungumbane noted.
Government described the engagement as a crucial step towards strengthening traditional governance and ensuring development initiatives are culturally grounded and inclusive.
“It is indeed a befitting honour to address our esteemed traditional leaders from the Midlands Province on the occasion of the Midlands Provincial Chiefs Assembly convened periodically to discuss and resolve pertinent issues related to the development trajectory in our province as assigned under the jurisdiction of traditional leadership and local government, institutions and regulations.
“Under the Traditional Leadership Act, Rural District Councils Act and other statutory instruments, traditional leaders represent a key constituency in the socio-economic development matrix of our motherland Zimbabwe, serving as mediators and advocates of community needs and aspirations,” Midlands Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Owen Ncube said.
The leadership also commended government for ensuring food security through the supply of inputs and irrigation development, particularly in response to climate change.
