Decentralise land allocation, say Ministers of State Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Larry Mavima.

Freedom Mupanedemo-Midlands Bureau

Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution have voiced concern over the Government’s delay in decentralising land allocation, saying the present bureaucratic system was creating confusion and double allocations.

The ministers were speaking during an interactive indaba involving them and officials from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development held in Gweru yesterday. 

They said the Second Republic came up with a noble development drive under the devolution agenda with the decentralisation of land distribution being the only missing link.

Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Larry Mavima, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said the agreed position was that the established provincial structures were supposed to be given powers to allocate land in line with the devolution agenda. “We have realised that the issue of offer letters, for example, presents a huge problem,” he said.

“We therefore urge your ministry to streamline the issue of land redistribution to provinces. As provinces we still witness rampant illegal settlements and double allocation. 

“We want these issues to be dealt with once and for all.”

Minister Mavima said the devolution agenda had completely changed the faces of provinces including areas traditionally perceived as remote and backward.

“The devolution (funds) allocations that the Government has been allocating to each and every province has had a great impact in changing the face our respective provinces as we march towards Vision 2030 of achieving an upper middle income economy,” he said.

Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs also interacted with the Lands ministry on issues to do with agriculture performance in all the 10 provinces.

It emerged during the meeting that Zimbabwe has enough grain despite the erratic rains received in most parts of the country.

Chief Director, Agriculture Advisory Services and Rural Development, Professor Obert Jiri told the meeting that while there is adequate grain, there was need to import some of grain for strategic reserve purposes.

“In the last summer cropping season, we managed to get 2 117 294 tonnes, which is 47 percent down from what we got last season. 

“That presents a deficit of 65 589. However, if we add the reserves we are assured of 107 00 tonnes surplus. As a country we might, however, need to import 300 000 tonnes for our strategic reserves. 

“We also need to ensure that the surplus grain is moved to those with less,” he said.

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