Joel Tsvakwi
THERE is need to continuously develop infrastructure for accessibility by rural and marginalised communities in the country, a Cabinet minister has said.
Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry minister Nqobizita Mangaliso Ndlovu, said this while commissioning the Environmental Agency (EMA) district offices in Tsholotsho last week.
Ndlovu echoed government position in pursuing the government’s vision of an upper middle class economy by 2030.
The minister said, by constructing a district office in Tsholotsho, EMA has proved to be on the right track.
“Our vision as a Nation, to be an Upper Middle State by 2030, can only be achieved through, among other things, sustainable infrastructure such as the state of the art office which we are all witnessing today,” he said.
Ndlovu in reference to government’s National Development Strategy thanked EMA in the implementation and further decentralising its operations.
“This project fits perfectly into the devolution agenda, which promotes development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure not only in cities such as Harare or Bulawayo, but also at community level,” he said.
He added: “This development is in support of the national blueprint, NDS 1 objectives of strengthening social infrastructure as well as ensuring sustainable environmental protection and resilience hence we look forward to the establishment of more of such offices across the country.”
Ndlovu implored EMA to implement such a similar development to the rest of the country’s districts.
“Construct similar offices across the country as the environment is under attack from the effect of climate change and unsustainable human activities hence there’s a need to the people to counter some of the environmental burdens.
He added: “On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the EMA board and staff, for the construction of this new office, which signifies total commitment to investing in resilient, sustainable and innovative infrastructure as spelt out by the sustainable development goals and our National Development Strategy; and in the process creating an enabling environment towards promoting sustainable utilisation of natural resources and protection of the environment.”
Ndlovu said environmental management should not be done in isolation as such line of thinking will not yield intended results.
“There is need for inclusivity in the utilisation of this structure so that it does not benefit EMA alone but the district, province and the nation at large.
“ I’m also happy that the two officers who will initially man this office are both women and young,” he said adding that, this is a milestone and I encourage you to continue on this trajectory of considering gender and other vulnerable groups,” he said.
