THE Zimbabwe Human Rights Association (ZimRights) has thrown its weight behind the government economic blueprint Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socioeconomic Transformation (ZimAsset) saying it is ready to offer assistance for its successful implementation.
Nqobile Bhebhe Chief Reporter
ZimRights have often clashed with the government on numerous issues that has led to officials being arrested.
However, ZimRights national director Okay Machisa told Southern Eye last week that ZimAsset is the only official document that seeks to steer the country for the next five years, hence critiquing it and not offering assistance was retrogressive.
ZimAsset is a five-year economic blueprint (2013 to 2018) development programme extracted from the Zanu PF election manifesto that focuses on four pillars — food security and nutrition, social services and poverty reduction, infrastructure and utilities and value addition and beneficiation.
It has a two-pronged approach, the quick fix (2013 to 2015) and the long term of dealing with the woes confronting the economy.
The government requires at least $27 billion to fund projects under ZimAsset. Machisa said his organisation would work “flatout” to ensure the blueprint achieves some of its aims.
“As ZimRights we have noted that there are certain tools at our disposal that we can use to usher in socioeconomic justice in Zimbabwe,” Machisa said.
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“Currently we have the new Constitution and ZimAsset. We have only one policy document (ZimAsset) for the next five years. As ZimRights we are keen to see the policy document, though very much ambitious as it is, it’s key that it is implemented.
“Our main thrust is on socioeconomic tenants of the document, especially education, health, food security and overall reduction of poverty levels.
“We will work flat out to ensure that we play our part to fulfil provisions of the document. For instance, we can pool resources to rehabilitate roads say in Magwegwe and residents of that suburb will benefit by employment creation,” he said.
ZimRights held a one-day indaba in Bulawayo last week that sought to increase citizen participation in the attainment of socioeconomic rights which are key in the fight against poverty, inequality and marginalisation.
