He said the task needed a holistic approach in the problems being faced by the country’s second largest city.
“The economy went through almost 12 years of devaluation, industries were deserting the country en-mass and inflation reached its worst levels,” he said.
“Industries all around the country found it very hard to operate. However, now that we are slowly reviving our economy it is now critical for all stakeholders to come together in this revival scheme.”
A cabinet task force, led by Minister of Industry and Commerce, Welshman Ncube, had been established to resuscitate industry in Bulawayo.
“We have in the past given Bulawayo a lot of money, in the 2011 budget we gave local authorities $32 million to be divided among them,’’ he said.
“I understand that for some reason best known to them some of that money is still yet to be used but what I should emphasise is that we will continue funding all projects targeted at the overall development of the Matabeleland region.’’
Biti said the Finance Ministry was committed to reviving the region, and would continue to provide funds for essential projects
in the Matabeleland region as a whole. We know that the major priority
are the water projects, these being the Mtshabezi – Mzingwane pipeline
link project and the construction of the Gwayi Shangani Dam,” he said, adding that his Ministry was also focusing on resuscitating lines of
credit for businesses in the region.
The minister will tour major projects in the Matabeleland region this week.
“During the tour I will visit projects such as Lupane State University
and the Mtshabezi project the idea is to get a full appreciation of
those projects and to identify loopholes that need our urgent
attention,” said Biti.
It was recently reported that the city lost more than 20 000 jobs
after the closing down of 87 companies last year.
The ministerial task force includes Minister Biti, Professor Ncube,
Agricultural Mechanisation and Irrigation Minister Dr Joseph Made,
Labour and Social Welfare Minister Paurina Mupariwa, Economic Planning
and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada and Youth,
Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
Post published in: Business