Maravi

Government aims to empower people in rural areas

Government aims to empower people in rural areas
By Cynthia Phiri in Pemba
Sat 26 May 2012, 12:42 CAT

SOUTHERN Province minister Obvious Mwaliteta says the government is looking at policies that can narrow the gap between the urban and rural areas. Mwaliteta said narrowing the gap between urban and rural people can be done through empowering rural communities by devolving power to the local people.

He said this in Pemba yesterday before touring some land that has been identified for the construction of administration offices for the new district. Mwaliteta said there were huge disparities between urban and rural areas in terms of infrastructure development.

"The gap will be narrowed up as some rural areas begin to open up which will see the construction of high schools, filling stations, banks and shopping malls, among other things that go with the district status," he said.

"I urge all districts in Southern Province that have been created to quickly identify land where district administration offices will be built. Some are taking too long in trying to frustrate government efforts."

Mwaliteta said the government aims to empower people in rural areas to bridge the gap between the poor and the rich and that the answer lay in ensuring that the business environment for the private sector was improved by supporting market integration activities and ensuring micro-economic stability.

"…The other way is for us to open up areas for the private sector to partner with the government. The creation of the districts in Southern Province has got nothing to do with politics but has everything to do with helping the poor people. Moreover, Southern Province has a high population; we cannot deny you the districts because some people somewhere will criticise us by doing that; we have created these districts because we are devolving power and resources to the people. We want to ensure that even the poor are incorporated," he explained.

Mwaliteta said the creation of districts would provide a lot of employment opportunities for the local people.

"This will put more money in people's pockets and in turn, poverty will be eradicated," said Mwaliteta.

Labels: RURAL AREAS, SOUTHERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 7:02 PM