The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
PRESIDENT Mnangangwa has reiterated the call for the urgent and unconditional removal of sanctions which have a deleterious impact on the economy.
In his State Of the Nation Address (SONA) and Opening of the Fourth Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe speech in Harare yesterday (Thursday), the President said Government was buoyed by the upward growth trajectory of the economy despite the debilitating effects of sanctions.
“This year’s projections indicate an over 7.8 percent economic growth. The higher predictions are premised on the good 2020-21 agriculture season; firm international mineral commodity prices, stable inflation and exchange rate as well as the containment of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“These successes are being recorded against a backdrop of the continuing illegal economic sanctions. The sanctions have a deleterious impact on our economy. We therefore reiterate our calls for their urgent and unconditional removal,” said President Mnangagwa.
He said Parliament would soon be requested to consider legislation relating to the implementation of the Devolution Agenda, special note being the presentation of the Provincial Council’s Amendment Bill.
“The requisite legislation used by the lower tiers of the State to ensure efficient implementation of the devolution agenda will also be amended. These include the Urban Councils Amendment Bill; Rural District Councils Amendment Bill; Regional Town and Country Planning Amendment; and the Traditional Leaders Amendment Bill.
“Parliament is also expected to consider the Municipal Courts and Police Bill as well as the Liquor Licencing Bill intended to ensure the efficient discharge of the various mandates of local authorities.
“The Second Republic is committed to ensuring that communities and all relevant arms of the State are adequately organised and capacitated to implement best practices on disaster risk management.
“Hence, legislation on Disaster Risk Management will strengthen our nation’s responsiveness and preparedness to tackle disasters,” he said.
On the global endorsement of the National Vaccination Programme, President Mnangagwa said the country was now receiving requests for the hosting of regional and international meetings in Victoria Falls.
“As a clear endorsement of our National Vaccination Programme, we have begun receiving requests for the hosting of regional and international meetings in Victoria Falls. Special attention to other tourism areas such as Kariba and the Eastern Highlands remains critical with regards to the roll out of the Vaccination Programme,” he said.
The President commended frontline health workers for their selfless sacrifice towards Covid-19 infection prevention, control and management.
“My Government will continue to avail more vaccines in order to save lives and livelihoods. I, however, call upon all of us to heighten our determination with regards to continued vaccinations in order to meet our desired national herd immunity target,” said President Mnangagwa.
