Zim accelerates infrastructure development

TENDAI BHEBE IN BULAWAYO 

Government is accelerating infrastructure development which is a key pillar to stimulate growth, Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube has said.

Zimbabwe’s infrastructure has suffered years of neglect which has become the cost on business.

The Treasury chief, who spoke at the 2022 pre-budget seminar in the resort town of Victoria Falls, said government departments and agencies are currently seized with the matter.

“ …Consistent with our prioritisation framework, the 2022 Budget will focus on resuscitation of stalled projects, completion of ongoing projects, rehabilitation and upgrading of infrastructure in critical sectors such as transport, water and sanitation, health, education, energy, ICT and housing,” Ncube said.

He added: “In order to refocus our budget towards developmental expenditures, it is critical to ringfence resources to facilitate smooth implementation of the targeted projects.

Ncube said focus will be on rehabilitation and upgrading of existing infrastructure to ensure preservation of the existing assets. He said resources would be deployed towards an enhanced maintenance programme targeting dilapidated and deteriorated infrastructure in key sectors.

He said significant progress has been registered in road infrastructure rehabilitation under the Emergence Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 which has commenced in all provinces, a clear demonstration that with “clear focus and commitment, utilising our local financial and non-financial resources we can transform our country from an infrastructure perspective”.

Ncube said the government has been reviving stalled infrastructure projects as well as coming up with new projects.

He said following the launch of the National Development Strategy 1 in November 2020, government has started monitoring its implementation, and having produced the first mid-year review. Ministries, Government Departments and Agencies have aligned their strategic plans to the strategy, Ncube said.