VP Mnangagwa slams red tape
Abel Zhakata in Mutare
The country has a low foreign investment uptake because of serious bureaucratic bungling and red tape that is scaring away potential investors, Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said.He made the remarks while commissioning a 10 million litre water tank in Mutare yesterday, constructed under the Zim-fund initiative.
VP Mnangagwa urged ministers to swiftly deal with red tape in their respective ministries, saying the country was losing out because of unnecessary delays.
“I will push you as ministers to deliver and put an end to red tape and you will do the same to your subordinates,” he said.
“As Government, we will refine our policies to aid development. We are worried about the low foreign investment uptake due to red tape. We need to be investor friendly and not current situations whereby investors take long periods to know of their fate because of red tape.”
VP Mnangagwa declared a zero tolerance on corruption, saying development partners will not release funds where corruption is rife.
“I am happy that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Cde Patrick Chinamasa said the Zim-fund projects here in Mutare were conducted in a transparent manner, the funds were properly used,” he said.
“We must be honest because that is the only way to attract support from our development partners.”
VP Mnangagwa said the Chikanga water tank will go a long way to solve water shortages in the suburb, but ratepayers needed to pay bills to ensure sustainability.
“Water cannot be delivered free of charge,” he said.
“We have to pay for it so that every single household will have access to it 24/7. Pay something towards that service to ensure maintenance and guaranteed future supplies. I am urging ratepayers to pay for services to ensure supply continuity.”
Speaking at the same function, Cde Chinamasa thanked donors for a job well done in rehabilitating water and sanitation systems in Mutare under the Zim-fund initiative. He urged them to do more and help Zimbabwe overcome economic challenges. Environment, Water and Climate Minister Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said the provision of clean water to communities aided development. He urged the City of Mutare to look after the rehabilitated infrastructure as well as come up with an efficient water billing system. VP Mnangagwa also visited the Gimboki Sewerage Works in Dangamvura which is now fully operational after its rehabilitation under the Zim-fund initiative.
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