Ministries move to operationalise NDS1

By Pretty Manyewe
Ministries have hit the ground running in formulating strategies that will feed into Government`s new economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy (NDS1).
The NDS1 was launched as a follow up to the two year Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP), and will guide all public spending for the next five years.
Ministries were tasked to present plans for the period under which the NDS1 will be in effect and they have been complying timeously.
Addressing media in yesterday`s post-cabinet briefing Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said four ministries, including hers, presented their five year plans this week and they were approved.
“The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services plays a pivotal role in the unpacking and dissemination of information. The Ministry is contributing to the national priority area of Image building, International Engagement and Re-engagement.
Hence they will pursue four key performance areas namely, media legislative reform programs, information management and publicity which will focus on the research of the history of our national liberation struggle, maintenance and modernisation of national communication platforms and lastly licencing and capacitating community radio station inclusive of monitoring the establishment of licenced privately owned television stations,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.
Minister Mutsvangwa pointed out that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce seeks to facilitate and promote the development of sustainable, innovative, inclusive and globally competitive industrial and commercial enterprises for improved consumer welfare and economic growth.
“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement seeks to facilitate the growth of a modern, sustainable and viable climate smart agriculture sector for the improvement of food security and nutrition status and increment of farm incomes by focusing on the Agriculture Food Systems and Transformation Strategy anchored on the Agriculture Recovery Plan,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She ended by noting that the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation will contribute to the NDS1 by promoting the development of youth vocational skills, sports, arts and recreations saying, “The Ministry is targeting an increased youth participation in development and decision making processes, increased promotion and safeguarding of cultural and creative practices, goods and services, increased levels of participation in sport and recreation activities and increased social cohesion, sense of national identity and pride.”
Recently, four ministries namely, The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had their ministerial five-year plans presented to and approved by the Cabinet.