Prof. Ncube: Devolution Set to Empower Local People

BINGA, MATABELELAND NORTH —  Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Professor Welshman Ncube says most regions will experience significant development if people are allowed to manage local resources.

Mr. Ncube said this Saturday in Binga, Matabeleland North province, when he addressed more than 2,000 people at the launch of the party’s election manifesto.

The MDC, the last of the parties in this year's harmonized election to launch its manifesto, said the MDC's electoral promises are built around the need to decentralize power and give all regions the authority to make developmental decisions critical to those areas.

Mr. Ncube said devolution covers all aspects of development, economic revival and the rebuilding of the country’s relations with the international community - all based on the understanding that each citizen needs to be part of the decision-making structures of the nation.

He said the devolution action points contained in the party’s manifesto embrace social delivery which has collapsed due to the absence of a devolved system of government, excessive centralisation of power, high levels of corruption, politicisation of public institutions and widespread bad governance which his party seeks to address.

Mr. Ncube said the choice of Binga as a venue for the manifesto launch underlines the party's drive to decentralize power and build a government inclusive of all people in the country.

Party supporter, Cecelia Chimbire, who attended the launch, said devolution of power to provinces has been well-received by the people of Binga that have not benefited from the district’s abundant natural resources.

Binga is considered one of the least developed districts in the country despite an abundance of resources in the tourism sector and fishing industry driven by the Zambezi River which flows through the area.

Zimbabwe is in full election campaign mode as parties seek to court the electorate’s support ahead of the 31 July election.

The MDC manifesto launch was attended by party officials from all the country’s provinces including party deputy president Edwin Mushoriwa.