Story by Kenias Chivuzhe
PREPARATIONS are at an advanced stage for the ZANU PF 22nd National People’s Conference set for Mutare, where President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to commission several key infrastructural projects.
Among the highlights of the conference will be the commissioning of the multi-million-dollar Mega Market milling plant and the new NatPharm warehouse.
The President will also take part in a tree-planting exercise at the construction site of the party’s new provincial offices, symbolising the party’s commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
This was revealed by the ZANU-PF National Chairperson Cde Oppah Muchinguri Kashiri during the tour of the conference venue in Mutare this Saturday, after holding the fourth and final Joint Conference Coordination Committee meeting to monitor the progress.
“On Tuesday, we will hold the Politburo meeting followed by the central committee meeting on Wednesday. Thursday is the day of arrival for most delegates. We are working on the programme, and, as I indicated, the President will, on Thursday, commission the Mega Market Milling Plant and the National Pharmaceutical Warehouse built by the Ministry of Health and Child Care at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital.
“The President will also launch the national tree-planting initiative by leading a tree-planting exercise at the site where the new ZANU-PF provincial offices will be built, adjacent to the conference venue. The commissioning of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) silos has been postponed to November, as some touch-ups are still required. About two weeks are required to finalise the touch-ups at GMB,” she said.
With the stage almost set, the ruling ZANU PF Party’s national chair says it is all systems go.
“We are delighted that all the roads have been rehabilitated, and some of them have been tarred, which was not the case last time. This time, we also appreciate that the ZESA transformer, which needed attention, has also been installed, so we are assured of 24 hours a day of electricity. I would also like to report that we have raised adequate resources, as we speak.
“As ZANU PF leadership and well-wishers, we have raised almost US$4 million, with US$2 million coming from the leadership. We can safely say that we have taken care of the major expenses, including accommodation for delegates. All the food, in fact, we can feed 10 000 people from the donations that were made, but our tradition states that any balance remaining after feeding 5 000 delegates will be donated to hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions that require assistance.
“You have witnessed that we have extended the exhibition centre for companies interested in showcasing their products, and we have expanded due to demand. ZANU-PF remains a popular party, a people’s party. The support demonstrates that people support our President and the party’s policies, particularly the progress towards Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy One (NDS1), which is transitioning to NDS 2. We are looking forward to a successful conference,” Cde Muchinguri-Kashiri said.
The conference, which will close with a vibrant music gala at the Mutare Showgrounds, is expected to draw thousands of delegates from across the country.
Running under the theme “Attainment of Vision 2030 Through Economic Empowerment and Value Addition,” the 22nd ZANU PF National People’s Conference will serve as a rallying point for the party’s developmental agenda and a reflection of the nation’s economic transformation drive.
