THE government should engage the private sector over rural industrialisation to improve infrastructure and provide employment to communities for economic development, Nkayi South legislator Jabulani Hadebe has said.
Hadebe said lack of rural industrialisation had seen the communities enduring a shortage of facilities like recreation centres.
“In our community, we have resources like fire clay (kalaga) and timber which can be utilised for the benefit of the community and the government needs to equip villagers with necessary skills rather than exporting our resources,” he said.
Hadebe said engaging the private sector would help in acquiring funds for rural industrialisation which would help to develop marginalised areas.
“When there is rural industrialisation, this will improve social amenities which we have been lacking and improve the living standards for the villagers,” he said.
Hadebe said the absence of rural industrialisation had also contributed to the lack of roads and internet connectivity hence side-lining villagers resulting in low standards of living.
Local traditional leader Chief Mbusi Dakamela said there was a need for rural industrialisation so that the youths could acquire skills.
“Once rural industrialisation commence then we can see the creation of vocational training centres hence equipping the youths with necessary skills leading to the development of our community,” Chief Dakamela said.
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He said lack of rural industrialisation had seen many youths being idle as they have nothing to do leading to increased drug and substance abuse.
“We appeal to the government To prioritise rural industrialisation so that the livelihoods of our youths can be improved and by doing so this might help in the rehabilitation of our roads which are in a sorry state,” he said.
Chief Dakamela said rural industrialisation would promote economic growth and reduce the number of villagers engaging in illegal mining, which was dangerous.
