New dev’t strategy to generate jobs, says Musoni

A five-year government development strategy is being amended to tap districts’ potential to generate more jobs, the Minister of Local Government, James Musoni, has said.Appearing before MP’s Committee on National Budget and Patrimony on Monday, the minister said the reviewed strategy is only awaiting Cabinet approval.He was briefing the lawmakers on his ministry’s general policy agenda, as the committee continues deliberations on the draft State budget.“We did something called the local economic development strategy and it includes every district, its potential, be it in urbanisation or the rural areas,” Musoni said, emphasising that the strategy would highlight the unique economic potential of each of the country’s districts.“There are things that need to be done so that the economy grows. We have finished it and it is awaiting cabinet approval, but we also shared it with the districts so that they guide the budgeting process.”Musoni noted that the plan also goes hand-in-hand with another “community development strategy” that goes beyond economic perspectives, to social, governance and other aspects that will boost welfare.The minister will reappear before the committee next week over the ministry’s 2011/12 budget execution as well as allocations in the current draft budget.