Strengthening the legal and policy framework for the promotion and protection of a wide range of rights, which has seen the continuation of legislative reforms and the alignment of laws to the Constitution remains a priority.
Speaking during the ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Arusha, in Tanzania recently, Permanent Secretary for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Mrs Vimbai Nyemba said the Government was prioritising implementation of socio-economic, developmental and cultural rights for national economic development, as the nation gears towards attaining an upper middle-income status by year 2030.
“In order to promote and advance socio-economic and cultural and developmental rights for the people of Zimbabwe, my Government is prioritising enhanced agricultural production, investments in exploration and sustainable exploitation of the extractive industry as well as implementing planned human settlements,” she said.
“In this regard, my Government continues to institute measures to enhance food security through utilisation of agricultural land across all regions in the country, notwithstanding challenges posed by the continued devastating effects of climate change.
“Expansion in production of crops has witnessed the doubling of maize production from 907 629 tonnes in 2020 to 2 000 000 tonnes for the three cropping seasons 2021 to 2023.
“Our mining sector has also witnessed a growth trajectory from US$2,8 billion in 2017 to the present US$12 billion, and is propelling socio-economic development and growth.
To enhance the participation of small-scale and artisanal miners, my Government established the US$10 million Mining Industry Loan Fund to finance and empower the development of small scale and artisanal miners. The thrust of my Government is to derive maximum benefits through value addition and beneficiation of our mineral resources.”
Mrs Nyemba said Zimbabwe remains committed to upholding its sovereignty, democracy, and rule of law as provided for in the Constitution of Zimbabwe which guarantees that the country is a unitary, democratic, and sovereign republic.
She said the country’s policy developmental agenda is centred around the policy of, “leaving no one or no place behind”.
In keeping with this inclusive approach, she said Government continues to intensify work under the Zimbabwe National Human Settlements Policy (ZNHSP) which was launched in 2020 which aims to create well-planned and well-governed sustainable human settlements for all, including the poor and rural population.
ZNHSP is in the Presidential title deeds settlement regularisation programme, which is providing title deeds to informal households that have undergone regularisation.
In a bid to operationalise the devolution and decentralisation policy, she said out of a target of 1 053 devolution and decentralisation projects, a total of 743 projects have been completed to date adding the policy has proved to be a vital cog in empowering local authorities and communities with the responsibility to spearhead economic and social development initiatives.
On climate and weather-related disasters which have surged in recent times, she said Government has expressed solidarity with affected people and governments.
Herald
