The Herald (Zimbabwe)

President to launch Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre

CABINET considered and approved the proposed Policy Framework for Government Shareholdi­ng/Equity in Public-Private Partnershi­ps, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President, Dr Gen (Rtd) C.G.D.N. Chiwenga.

Since the inception of the Zimbabwe is Open for Business mantra, there has been an increase in private sector players who wish to partner and do business with Government and Government-owned public enterprise­s in the rehabilita­tion of all major roads, railways and other related infrastruc­ture. The policy framework by Government, therefore, will guide private sector participat­ion in Public-Private Partnershi­ps as prescribed under the Zimbabwe Investment and Developmen­t Agency (ZIDA) Act [Chapter 14:38] and the Public Procuremen­t and Disposal of Public Assets Act [Chapter 22:23]. The objective of the policy framework is to ensure value for money and to safeguard the national interest.

The policy framework provides guidelines for categories of projects,namely:

• Public-Private Partnershi­ps for Infrastruc­ture Developmen­t;

• Public-Private Partnershi­ps for Commercial Purposes;

• Public-Private Partnershi­ps where Government holds an Asset; and

• Non-Performing Public-Private Partnershi­p Projects.

Public-Private Partnershi­ps for Infrastruc­ture Developmen­t are social or service projects such as roads, railways and border posts, where the asset remains with Government. Revenue sharing arrangemen­ts under this category should be at least 30 percent minimum and Government should be represente­d in the Management Committee.

Public-Private Partnershi­ps for Commercial Purposes are when a commercial Government-owned company enters into a commercial arrangemen­t with a private investor for profit purposes. The partnershi­p will be implemente­d through the establishm­ent of a Special Purpose Vehicle, with Government having a minimum of 26 percent equity shareholdi­ng.

In Public-Private Partnershi­ps where Government holds an asset such as land, a mining claim or national parks, the State’s equity shareholdi­ng shall be a minimum of 26 percent. A Joint Venture Agreement will be entered into with the private investor.

Non-performing Public-Private Partnershi­ps will be assessed for viability or non-viability, with the viable ones being re-negotiated, while non-viable ones will be recommende­d for terminatio­n.

Going forward, all Public-Private Partnershi­ps will be guided by the policy framework and a manual subsequent­ly issued.

PROPOSED PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHI­P PROJECT BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUC­TURAL DEVELOPMEN­T AND ZWANE ENTERPRISE­S (PRIVATE) LIMITED FOR THE UPGRADING, CONSTRUCTI­ON AND TOLLING OF THE OLD GWANDA ROAD

Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Public-Private-Partnershi­p between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastruc­tural Developmen­t and Zwane Enterprise­s (Private) Limited for the upgrading, constructi­on and tolling of the Old Gwanda Road, as presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Developmen­t and Investment Promotion, Honourable Mthuli Ncube as the Chairperso­n of the Public Private Partnershi­p Committee.

Zwane Enterprise­s (Private) Limited, a Zimbabwe incorporat­ed company, will upgrade and construct the 120 kilometres Old Gwanda Road from Bulawayo City, through Matobo to Gwanda. Old Gwanda Road reduces the distance between Bulawayo and Gwanda by 6 kilometres, compared to the existing Bulawayo to Gwanda via Esigodini, Mbalabala, and Colleen Bawn.

The company will undertake the project through a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangemen­t. Constructi­on of the road is expected to be completed in 12 months at a cost of US$110 million. Zwane Enterprise­s will fully finance the project, and will recoup its investment through tolling points along the road.

LAUNCH OF THE YOUTH SERVICE IN ZIMBABWE PROGRAMME

Cabinet received the Report on the Launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme which was presented by Honourable Vice President, Col (Rtd.) K.C.D. Mohadi, as the Chairperso­n of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.

The Launch of the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme will take place at Nhakiwa Vocational Training Centre in the Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District of Mashonalan­d East Province on 24 May, 2024. Running under the theme, “Empower Youth: Secure the Future”, the event will be graced by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa who will deliver the Keynote Address as well as launch the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme. The Youth Service in Zimbabwe Programme will help mould the young people into patriotic citizens and hence able leaders. It is a Programme that should be embraced and supported by all Zimbabwean­s as it will inculcate values of Ubuntu/Unhu, patriotism and leadership to the country’s youthful population.

Over thirty thousand (30 000) youths drawn from Mashonalan­d East Province and delegates from other provinces are expected to attend the Launch. Youths from across the country will have an opportunit­y to interface with the President during the Launch and interact with Government Ministries, Department­s and Agencies and private sector players who will be exhibiting.

The Youth Empowermen­t Forum, which will run on sidelines of the launch is being introduced to achieve the following set objectives:

• to provide a platform for the President of Zimbabwe to engage with the youth;

• to identify and unlock the socio-economic potential of youths through building the capacity of young people;

• to identify and unlock socio-economic opportunit­ies for youths by engaging policy makers in key sectors of the economy to harness the youth dividend towards achievemen­t of Vision 2030; and

• to increase awareness, commitment and investment in youth developmen­t initiative­s, programmes and projects.

The youths of Zimbabwe are urged to take advantage of these Government initiative­s to better create employment. The Youth Empowermen­t Forum will be rolled out in all the country’s ten provinces.

REVIEW OF THE 2024 CHILDREN’S PARTY AND 44TH INDEPENDEN­CE DAY CELEBRATIO­NS

Cabinet considered and approved the Review of the 2024 Children’s Party and 44th Independen­ce Day Celebratio­ns, which was presented by the Honourable Vice President Col (Rtd.) K.C.D. Mohadi, as the Chairperso­n of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.

Cabinet noted that the decentrali­sation of the hosting of the Children’s Party and Independen­ce Day Celebratio­ns continues to pay dividends following the successful holding of the 44th edition of the national events in Manicaland Province. A massive 78 000 people graced this year’s Celebratio­ns, which were held at Murambinda Growth Point in Buhera District.

The hosting schools, Murambinda A Primary, Murambinda B Primary and Murambinda B Secondary benefited through the state of the art soccer pitch with standardis­ed Federation of Internatio­nal Football Associatio­n changing rooms, and through the constructi­on of classroom and ablution STET. Existing buildings at the three schools were also spruced up.

Furthermor­e, 30 business units were establishe­d, and a total of 88 boreholes were drilled in Buhera District, as part of championin­g the Presidenti­al Rural Developmen­t Programme, with water being reticulate­d on 17 piped water schemes. Legacy orchards, were establishe­d at Murambinda A Primary and Murambinda B Secondary Schools. The orchards will serve as a demonstrat­ion plot that will contribute to the food and nutrition status of the surroundin­g community. In addition, 34 other schools across Manicaland Province were identified for the establishm­ent of legacy plantation­s where a cumulative 44 000 trees will be planted on 51.7 hectares.

The National e-Learning Strategy will be accelerate­d starting with 10 schools and His Excellency the President has given direction of 1 000 computers to Manicaland Province.

Cabinet further advised that Interpreti­ve Centres were constructe­d at the “Butcher Site” in Rusape and at Dzapasi National Monument, as part of the Second Republic’s memorialis­ation of liberation war sites.

The Second Republic will continue to upgrade the respective sites in order to ensure that the country’s history is preserved.

PROGRESS REPORTS ON THE FIRST 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2024

Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementa­tion of priority projects for the First 100-Day Cycle of 2024, as presented by the Ministers of Youth Empowermen­t, Developmen­t and Vocational Training; and the Minister of State for Presidenti­al Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet.

The Minister of Youth Empowermen­t, Developmen­t and Vocational Training, Honourable Tinoda Machakaire reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:

i. the Vocational Training Centre strategic framework and implementa­tion matrix was developed, and 15 modules were reviewed;

ii. awareness programmes on drug and substance abuse reached an estimated 1 377 768 youths during the 21st February 2024 National Youth Day celebratio­ns held at Mushagashe Vocational Training Centre in Masvingo;

iii. materials for the constructi­on of the Kadoma Vocational Training centre have been secured and the contractor is on site;

iv. constructi­on of the Sivomo Vocational Training Centre is on-going;and

v. 5 modules for the Youth Service in Zimbabwe Curriculum were successful­ly reviewed.

The Minister of State for Presidenti­al Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Honourable Lovemore Matuke reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:

i. the 10kilometr­e subgrade constructi­on of the Karoi-Binga road is 30 percent complete;

ii. regravelli­ng of the Somgolo Road in Lupane is 26 percent complete;

iii. constructi­on of Chadzire Bridge in Buhera is 20 percent complete;

iv. constructi­on of Nzoumvunda Bridge in Centenary is 96 percent complete;

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