Published by the government of Zimbabwe
25 July 2008
Harare — GOVERNMENT is finalising the verification of the names of households in Mashonaland Central Province expected to benefit from the National Basic Commodity Supply Side Intervention programme launched by President Mugabe last week.
Central bank teams were early this week busy putting the finishing touches on the distribution programme before the commencement of the exercise scheduled for this week.
Trucks carrying basic goods were also busy ferrying the consignments to destinations such as Chesa in Mount Darwin, Shamva and various other distribution points in the province.
An official with the central bank who declined to be named said villagers would start getting their consignment once the verification process was completed.
She said central bank officers were likely to finish the verification process of the names submitted soon to avoid duplication and guard against unscrupulous people who sought to benefit more than once under the programme.
The Bacossi programme, whichis being spearheaded by the central bank, seeks to among other things make sure that all Zimbabwean families have equal access to affordable basic commodities.
Most people, who are battling to get basic goods which have been priced beyond their reach, have welcomed the programme that does not discriminate in terms of gender, disability or political affiliation.
Chief Bushu said the programme comes as a relief to people in his area and would work to make sure the products reached their intended destination.
"We are working with the teams from the central bank and the district administrator's office so as to guard against duplication of names.
"The team has been going around the area informing people of the new programme and outlining the kind of information they should give to their traditional leadership to be eligible under the programme.
"The RBZ teams have been to all the wards under my area except wards 28 and 29 and wards 18 and 19, soon after which the goods would be sold to beneficiaries," Chief Bushu said.
He said beneficiaries under the programme would start buying their hampers by Thursday at latest.
The food hampers cost $110 billion and included rice, sugar, toothpaste, cooking oil, sanitary ware, washing powder, flour and soap among other basic commodities.
The same goods cost more than $3 trillion on the black market, where they are readily available.
Child-headed and polygamous families and farm employees are also expected to benefit.
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