BLUEPRINT TO UNLOCK INVESTMENT AND LEVERAGE FOR DEVELOPMENT (BUILD)
MY FELLOW CITIZENS, COUNTRYMEN AND FRIENDS,
Since my last statement issued in early June 2015, we have been hard at work and I wish to share with you, in brief, how we propose to translate our vision for a better Zimbabwe into reality – through the proposed Blueprint to Unlock Investment and Leverage for Development (BUILD).
A. PREAMBLE
Zimbabwe belongs to all people who call it home, regardless of colour, creed, disability, gender, race or religious background.
Together we can BUILD Zimbabwe into a modern democratic State, with a vibrant economy where every citizen is responsible for peace, freedom, democracy and can prosper.
Zimbabwe is part of the global village. We shall ensure that our policies are informed by its sovereign interests viewed in the context of the current modern global geopolitical context.
B. VISION
To attain Peace, Freedom, Democracy and Prosperity for All
C. MISSION
To organise, promote and support full stakeholder participation in order to BUILD our country.
D. STRATEGY
To RAMP (Remove All Measurable Pitfalls) up production across all sectors by promoting a full understanding and commitment by the country’s leadership and its people to BUILD
E. IDEOLOGY
We are national democrats, guided by the values of the liberation struggle, of self-determination, self-dignity, self-pride, expressed through the adoption of market-driven policies under a constitutional democracy, with the State acting as a facilitator and regulator to allow for a level playing field and provide equal opportunities for all.
CLUSTER 1 – CONSTITUTIONALISM
1 General
i. Our fundamental premise is that all people are created equal under God. The law should therefore be applied equally to all citizens and of?ices in the land.
ii. We shall respect and uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and through an independent Commission, align all outstanding laws to the State Constitution and oversee the proper implementation thereof.
iii. We shall promote, respect, and support the principle of the separation of powers of the three pillars of the state i.e the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislature.
iv. We shall respect and restore the role of traditional leaders as prescribed by the Constitution.
2 Civil Service Advancement
i. The civil service shall be apolitical, and we shall promote meritocracy and professionalism.
ii. We shall encourage e-government throughout the service to achieve set targets by set timelines and curb corruption.
iii. We shall commission a biometric skills audit to inform a manpower planning and development strategy, to ensure effective delivery, high morale and also link it to curriculum development in the education sector.
iv. We shall clearly define the roles of Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Heads of Ministries.
v. We shall promote accountability and transparency by giving the Auditor General more resources and authority to initiate or recommend criminal prosecution.
vi. We shall encourage and promote a “small but effective” government structure.
vii. We shall review the State Procurement Act in line with international best practice and BUILD, in order to ensure transparency, timely delivery on national projects and value for money.
viii. We shall ensure that Government’s role is to facilitate, promote, regulate a level and sustainably stable economic playing field.
ix. We shall establish as a think-tank, a Presidential Economic and Advisory Centre for Excellence (PEACE), made up of experts from various sectors, to advise, assist, comment on and support government policy formulation, implementation and review.
3 Constitutional Commissions
i. We shall resource, restore and fully implement the intended roles of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission, Human Rights Commission, and the Gender Commission as prescribed under the Constitution.
4 Democracy and Human Rights
i. We shall promote and support a free press. Repeal AIPPA, and review the licensing criteria and methodology under the Broadcasting Services Act and related legislation.
ii. We shall give the vote to diasporans.
iii. We shall acknowledge dual citizenship.
iv. We say no to political intolerance. We shall repeal POSA and replace it with a modern legislation that is in line with the Constitution.
v. We say no to violence.
vi. We shall re-align the Criminal Code Codi?ication and Reform Act, to the Constitution.
vii. The Electoral Act will be amended to FULLY comply with the Constitution’s provisions and requirements.
5 Employee and Employer Rights
We shall link salaries and wages to productivity as a way of increasing national competitiveness and improve living standards for the population.
6 National Healing
There is going to be compassionate national and spiritual healing programmes throughout the country addressing trauma emanating from pre and post Independence conflicts in Zimbabwe.
7 Property Rights
We shall enforce, promote, and respect property rights and address historical compulsory acquisition, through fair and transparent compensation.
8 Rule of Law
i. We shall respect and uphold the rule of law by treating all people equally before the law.
ii. We shall respect the independent role of the Prosecutor-General under the Constitution.
iii. All political leaders should be accountable to PEOPLE FIRST and observe State laws. We want our political leaders to be honest and have integrity and be trustworthy.
9 Women, Youths and the Disabled Advancement
We shall actively promote the advancement of women, youths and the disabled in all economic, social and political spheres, which has largely been accorded lip service to date.
CLUSTER 2 – ECONOMIC
1 Agriculture Production and Marketing Sector Advancement
i. We shall promote and support transparent contract and corporate farming models to ensure self-sufficiency and a surplus for export.
ii. We shall promote the establishment and resuscitation of irrigation schemes to boost production through public and private sector partnerships.
iii. We shall promote and support the establishment of an Agriculture Commodity Exchange.
iv. Government’s role shall be to guarantee national food security, through sourcing externally to cover any deficit and finding external markets for any surplus.
v. We shall re-capitalize and expand the role of Agribank in line with international best practice under BUILD.
2 Banking and Financial Sector Advancement
i. We shall promote and legislate for international best banking practice under BUILD, to ensure the sector plays its rightful role in the development of the country, including an independent Central Bank.
ii. We shall facilitate availability of adequate and affordable lines of credit, through guarantee of property rights, sanctity of contracts and other investor protection instruments.
iii. We shall revisit the pensions sector to ensure that it plays a positive socio-economic development role.
3 Conservancies and Tourism Sector Advancement
We shall ensure that there is legislation to promote and support Conservancies and Tourism, to guarantee the preservation of our natural resources, through sustainable use, security of tenure and global viability.
4 Debt Resolution Strategy
i. We shall engage bilateral and multilateral creditors and commit to a debt resolution strategy tied to our socio-economic development initiatives under BUILD.
ii. We shall commit to tight, transparent budgetary control and management of State and national resources.
5 Indigenisation
i. A wholesale review of the Indigenisation Act will be effected. We shall emphasize Economic Empowerment that attracts investment and promotes the broad-based socio-economic and infrastructure development objectives of BUILD.
6 Land Policy
i. All persons who call Zimbabwe “home” shall be entitled to access land and participate in its sustainable utilisation.
ii. We shall give immediate value to agricultural land by promoting a transparent land policy framework that attracts investment, creates, promotes and supports security of tenure and bankable leases.
iii. We shall rationalise existing farm sizes in line with agro-economic regions and or production capacity.
iv. We shall establish an independent and well-resourced land commission to deal with all matters land under BUILD.
7 Manufacturing Sector Advancement
i. We shall facilitate availability of adequate and affordable lines of credit, through guarantee of property rights, sanctity of contracts and other investor protection mechanisms.
ii. We shall encourage and support minimum quality standards on the local market through the Standards Association of Zimbabwe. We shall encourage and support local manufacturing through a concerted “buy local” campaign and appropriate tax incentives.
iii. We shall encourage and promote “import substitution” and encourage exports through targeted tax incentives.
iv. We shall expand, promote and resource the Scientific and Industrial Research and Development Centre (SIRDC), and encourage strong linkages with local industry.
v. We shall promote and support e-commerce to reduce corruption, fraud, and inefficiencies.
8 Mining Sector Advancement
i. We shall make our mining legislation investor friendly in line with International Best Practice under BUILD.
ii. We shall ensure that the proceeds from the extractive sector flow to the people.
iii. We shall review legislation and enforce implementation of laws on land reclamation and the environment.
9 Parastatals Advancement
i. Parastatals and State enterprises will not enjoy state subsidies indefinitely if at all. We shall depoliticise/commercialise and where possible privatise Parastatals/ State owned enterprises as necessary to ensure accountability, effective delivery, and transparency and commercial viability.
The above will generate growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), increase the tax base, create employment, and release immediate resources to government for other programs, whilst creating investment opportunities in the national economy.
ii. Government’s primary role shall be to facilitate, promote, and regulate to ensure a level playing field in the economy with minimal direct State participation.
CLUSTER 3 – ENABLERS / INFRASTRUCTURE
1 Energy Sector Advancement
i. We shall promote and support investor-friendly tariffs in the sector.
ii. We shall promote and support the development and expansion of existing Hydro Electric Power and Thermal Power stations through a consistent and transparent Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) framework.
iii. We shall encourage, promote and support the exploration and development of new and renewable energy sources.
iv. We shall promote and support investment in the exploitation of Coal Bed Methane resources.
v. We shall promote and support the development of solar and wind energy.
vi. We shall streamline the whole value chain of liquid fuels for efficiency and value for money.
2 Telecoms and Transport Sector Advancement
i. We shall encourage, promote and support regional and international best practice in the telecoms sector for the benefit of all stakeholders under BUILD.
ii. We shall promote and support air, rail and road infrastructure development through transparent and viable PPP models to surpass regional standards and make Zimbabwe the regional hub.
3 Water and Sanitation Sector Advancement
i. We shall promote and support investor friendly tariffs in the sector.
ii. We shall promote and support investment in the rehabilitation of existing sewer and water reticulation systems through appropriate PPP models.
iii. We shall promote and support the development of dams, de-siltation programmes and the reclamation of river systems to protect the environment.
iv. We shall enact regulations to ensure sewer and water reticulation is place before any new housing and industrial developments can be sold.
v. We shall encourage, promote and support secure water sources in the rural areas.
CLUSTER 4 – INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY
1 Foreign Policy
i. We recognise Zimbabwe as an independent sovereign State.
ii. We shall ensure that our foreign policy will be guided by rapprochement across the board, putting Zimbabwe and its People’s interests first.
iii. We shall review the number of our foreign missions to reflect affordability and impact across our economic and political interests.
2 National Security Establishment
i. We recognise and respect the role of the Security Sector in fostering law and order and maintaining peace and security in Zimbabwe.
ii. The security establishment shall be apolitical, well-resourced and we shall promote meritocracy and professionalism in the sector.
CLUSTER 5 – SOCIAL
1 Education Sector Advancement
i. We shall ensure that there is primary education for all.
ii. We shall promote e-learning in schools.
iii. We shall encourage, promote and support investment in science and technology.
iv. We shall encourage and promote life-sustaining skills through emphasizing practical subjects, promoting and supporting the relevant technical and vocational training centers.
v. We shall ensure that the Education Sector is fully resourced to address low morale, equipment and textbook shortages, in line with regional and international best practice to meet skills needs of the economy now and in future under BUILD.
vi. We shall link the civil service skills audit and manpower planning strategy to inform the curriculum development in the education sector.
vii. We shall encourage, promote and support extra-curricular activities through a robust arts, culture and sports initiative at national level.
2 Health Sector Advancement
i. We shall ensure that there is basic health hygiene, education and basic health care for all.
ii. We shall ensure that the health sector is fully resourced to address low morale, drug shortages, and re-tool in line with regional and international best practice under BUILD.
3 Housing Sector Advancement
i. We shall promote and support decent housing development through public and private partnerships by reviewing regulations and taxes, to ensure sector consistency and transparency across the country.
ii. We shall encourage, promote and support basic minimum housing standards in the rural areas through incentives.
In Summary our policies are informed by:
i. Our desire and determination to see our Nation move forward as a proud member of the community of nations;
ii. Our desire and determination to create a just and equitable society, in which all people are treated equally in line with the founding principles of the liberation struggle and;
iii. Our desire and determination to see our Nation grow and create equal opportunities for all.
Zimbabwe must move forward, economically, socially and politically.
Let us BUILD Zimbabwe together.
God Bless You, God Bless Zimbabwe.
I thank You.
Dr Joice Teurai Ropa Mujuru
For the People of Zimbabwe
Harare, 8 September 2015
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