By Nyasha Motsi
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa has pledged to deliver on the promises he made to the people of Zimbabwe as he was sworn in for his second term yesterday. He said his main priority was to improve the living standards of the people, especially in rural areas, while not neglecting the urban concerns.
He spoke at the National Sports Stadium in Harare, where he was inaugurated after winning the presidential election held on August 31. He said his government would continue the policies, projects and programs that began during his first term and that aimed to lift many people out of poverty and into prosperity.
He also called for unity and hard work among the people to overcome the challenges posed by the illegal sanctions and the enemies of the country. He said his government would not be deterred by any obstacles in pursuing its vision of transforming Zimbabwe.
He highlighted the achievements of his government in the agriculture sector, which he said had ensured food security and growth in all sub-sectors. He praised the farmers and the stakeholders for their efforts and said this was proof of the success of the land reform program and the people-oriented policies of his administration.
He further said his government would prioritize national food security and household income by accelerating irrigation development, borehole drilling and rural industrialization. He said his plan was to establish 35,000 productive agro-based companies in villages across the country, which would be owned and run by the communities. He said this would increase rural incomes and livelihoods.
He also said his government would continue to modernize the national infrastructure, utilities and amenities and enhance transport connectivity within the provinces and with the region and the continent. He said this was a priority for his government.
He affirmed his commitment to good governance, the rule of law and political tolerance and said he would not apologize for defending and protecting Zimbabwe’s values, cultures and norms. He said Zimbabwe was a sovereign state and a friend to all and an enemy to none. He said his engagement with SADC, AU, UN and other countries was based on mutual respect and sovereign equality as enshrined in the UN Charter.
He also said water was life and a solution for food security and sanitation needs. He said two dams, Gwayi-Shangani and Kunzvi, were set to be completed soon and would meet the needs of Bulawayo and Harare metropolitan provinces.
