Chapo begins working visit to Manica

Chimoio (Mozambique), 12 May (AIM) – Mozambican President Daniel Chapo on Monday began a three day official visit to the central province of Manica, with a call for peace, tolerance and inclusive development.

Speaking at a rally in the provincial capital, Chimoio, Chapo reaffirmed his government’s commitment to participatory governance close to citizens. “I want to assess how our government is working with our people in Manica”, he said. “When I took office, I said that we would work closer to the public. That’s why I am in Chimoio”.

He stressed that his visit is a concrete gesture of commitment to the people. He added that on Tuesday he will chair a meeting of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet) in Chimoio, which will make this city temporarily the capital of Mozambique.

The inauguration of a professional training centre in Chimoio on Monday. Chapo said, is a direct response to the concerns of young people over unemployment.

He condemned the rioting and violence that had followed the announcement in December of election results widely believed to be fraudulent. “Violence generates violence and hatred generates hatred”, he said. “That’s a law of nature. Everybody reaps what they sow. If you want to harvest love, you must plant love”.

Chapo insisted that “in politics there are no enemies, only adversaries”.

Since Monday is International Nurses’ Day, Chapo paid tribute to health professionals, expressing his gratitude “to the men and women who save lives every day”.

A message from the Chimoio public read out at the rally praised Chapo’s governance in the first 100 days of his presidency – but also called on the authorities to provide more schools, health units, police stations and water supply systems.

Chapo also condemned illegal mining. He told the crowd that the government has suspended the activities of five mining companies because of the environmental damage they were causing to Manica rivers.

“We shall organise young people and teach them how they should work”, he said – but local leaders would have the responsibility to guarantee safer and better regulated mining.
(AIM)
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