EDWIN MOYO.
GWERU- Gweru City Council has today, 31 March 2023 conferred President Mnangagwa with the coveted Freedom of the City Status during a colourful ceremony presided over by the Mayor, Cllr Hamutendi Kombayi.
In his acceptance speech President Mnangagwa thanked the Council for according him the status saying the decision was apolitical showing how democracy was maturing in the country.
He further said Government was working towards availing funds to improve water and sanitation in all local authorities in the country.
“This is what it should be in our country congratulations to Gweru. With you having done this, you have shown that there is more that unites us than divides us as we prepare for the harmonized elections as different political parties.
“Let’s preach unity and harmony among our people as leaders and as a country. This honour bestowed on me by you is a tribute for the gallant sons and daughters who fought for this country and city.
“Gweru is known as the city of progress, I therefore urge the Mayor and councillors to make sure the mantra translate to growth and industrialization of the City.
“I am sure the City needs improvements on roads, lighting, water, sanitation among others. These challenges are not common to Gweru only but to all other cities but we should not bury our heads in the sand, we should work. As Government we are working towards availing funds soon to improve water infrastructure in all our local authorities across the country,” he said.
“Gweru must progress in information communication technology and development. All local authorities must have clear development plans and strategies to promote good service provision and governance. It is incumbent on local authorities to provide factory shells and industrial zones for growth and production for the city to grow,” added the President.
Mnangagwa further urged Gweru City Council to utilise the industrial hubs at higher learning institutions to proffer solutions to the country’s problems.
“I urged you as a local authority to engage and work with institutions such as Midlands State Univeristy by presenting your challenges to young innovators, engineers and experts and see how they can provide appropriate through advanced ideas and technology.
“As a city if you haven’t yet engaged them, do so, I have said it. Work with local academic institution for development and industrial growth” he said.
Officially announcing the Freedom of the City Status to Mnangagwa, Cllr Kombayi said the City was bedeviled by a number of service provision challenges.
“Our population has grown from 300 000 to 1,2 000 000 as a City, so as such we yearn for city growth as the increasing population need to move in accordance with proper infrastructure and services.
” We therefore accord this status to you the President because of your dedication and new policy thrust under the mantra Zimbabwe is Open for Business, which aims to transform the country into an upper middle income economy
“As a city we have benefitted from the Government a number of things from water pumps, financial support among other services. Now that we have bestowed this honour on you we look forward to your intervention in other sectors of our operations” he added.
