1 January 2009
Maputo — Mozambican President Armando Guebuza reiterated in Maputo on Wednesday that 2009 will be a year for continuing the efforts in the fight against poverty, public sector reforms and promoting country's development.
Guebuza, who was delivering his New Year's message to the nation, said that "we will continue to raise more milestones in our victory against poverty and its multiple manifestations. We will continue to tackle the obstacles to our development and strengthen the reforms in the public sector. We will continue to improve performance to turn the current food crisis into opportunities for Mozambique's development by implementing the Green Revolution and the Tree-year Food Plan".
Overcoming these challenges in 2009, said Guebuza, is a continuation of the gains achieved since the beginning of the incumbent government's mandate.
As for 2008, Guebuza stressed the achievements in the social, cultural, economic and political sectors.
"More public and private schools, teaching in a number of fields of expertise came into stream. Also, more health units, teacher's training schools, health training centres came into operation. Now, a number of our compatriots no longer have to walk long distances to reach a school, health unit or a source of clean water ", added Guebuza.
As for infrastructures, besides the construction of new schools, health units and new water sources, Guebuza highlighted the construction or rehabilitation of more roads, bridges and rail lines that contributed to the promotion of economic and social activities in Mozambique.
Guebuza also mentioned the Cahora Bassa Dam, the mobile phone services and fixed telephone lines that have been made more accessible, and therefore improving the quality of life of more Mozambicans all over the country.
In terms of citizen participation in country's affairs, again Guebuza stressed self-esteem, national unity that contributed for the consolidation of multiparty democracy, freedom of speech and press freedom.
These are values, explained the President, promoted and reflected in the increasing numbers of cities and towns that orderly and peaceful organized the municipal elections held on November 19.
For Guebuza, these values are closely linked to the current process of decentralization process from central to the district level, with the districts being the poles of development.
Under the decentralization of powers, the districts are benefiting of more powers, financial autonomy and resources to further improve local and national development plans and strategies.
One of the clear examples is the establishment of Fund for Local Development, under which the government grants a sum of seven million meticais (about 290,000 dollars) to the existing 128 Mozambican for the implementation of income generation projects and employment.
This, said the President, helped to increase the number of jobs, production and agricultural productivity. This year, the fund could achieve better results, since there are plans already in advanced stages for its institutionalization. The sum allocated to every district will be also increased.
The implementation of many of these achievements would be not having been possible without the support of international partners for cooperation, who in 2008 maintained their commitment and supported the financing of development projects drawn by the government.
Guebuza, therefore, praised the cooperation partners and expressed his gratitude and encouragement for their contribution for Mozambique's development.
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