ANESU MASAMVU
Harare is known for crumbling infrastructure, poor road network and dirty water, making Zimbabwe’s capital appear on the list of one of the poor cities in the region but the forthcoming 44th SADC summit is changing the face of the capital.
Zimbabwe hosts the Summit of Heads of State and Government and assumes the Chairmanship of SADC in August this year.
The Summit will be held at the New Parliament Building in Mt. Hampden.
In the wake of the poor infrastructure and the challenges Harare is facing, Cabinet this week heard that the landscaping works are 58% complete while the civil works are 67% complete.
“The Public Works Department is constructing a 2.8 mega litre water tank which is expected to be completed by June 2024. Meanwhile, the City of Harare is installing bio-digesters for managing waste-water,” Information Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said.
Harare has been a nightmare for drivers who have had to endure the potholes and dysfunctional traffic lights.
“The Municipality will also repair and upgrade traffic signals at key intersections on routes leading to the SADC Summit venue and hotels to be utilized by delegates around the City, as well as ensuring that street lights are working,” he said.
“In terms of rehabilitation of main access roads, Cabinet informs the nation that three (3) main packages under this programme which are being undertaken are as follows: (a) the Harare-Chirundu Section from Julius Nyerere Street to 2nd Street-Lomagundi Road to Westgate Traffic Circle; Page 2 of 9.”
“(b) the Harare-Kanyemba Section from Harare Drive to the intersection with the New Parliament Boulevard; and (c) the New Parliament Boulevard, New Parliament Loop Road, Access Roads and Old Mazowe Road. In addition, a number of selected roads from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the City Centre and the access roads leading to the main access roads to the New Parliament, are being rehabilitated.”
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services has been charged with ensuring that there is seamless internet connectivity without any disruptions during the course of the summit.
Vice President, General (Rtd.) Constantino Chiwenga is coordinating the preparations for hosting the Summit.
