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World class infrastructure beckons

09 Oct, 2020 - 00:10 0 Views
World class infrastructure beckons President Emmerson Mnangagwa

The ManicaPost

Cletus Mushanawani in CHIMANIMANI
ZIMBABWE is working towards attaining world class infrastructure in the next five years through the utilisation of local resources, President Mnangagwa has said.

Speaking after a tour of Chimanimani District to access projects under the Cyclone Idai Recovery Programme at Skyline yesterday (Thursday), President Mnangagwa said although the country is saddled with the economic sanctions imposed by the West, there is no room for continuous mourning without finding home-grown solutions.

“Development comes from all of us as Zimbabweans working together. We have a lot of educated Zimbabweans and we should leverage on that education to develop the country.

“We are now focusing on infrastructure development which involves the constructions of roads, dams and other social amenities. After five years, we need to have world-class infrastructure and social amenities through local funding.

“We have learnt from our past mistakes of exporting our jobs and skills to foreign companies. It is now time for us to join hands and develop our country,” said President Mnangagwa.

Having been impressed by the good craftsmanship displayed by indigenous companies that were involved in the rehabilitation of infrastructure and social amenities in Chimanimani, President Mnangagwa said the companies’ exploits bring pride to the nation. After Cyclone Idai left a trail of destruction in the three provinces of Manicaland, Masvingo and Mashonaland East, Government took a deliberate position to engage indigenous companies to spearhead the rehabilitation work.

Chimanimani, which was the epicentre of the cyclone, was the most affected and was virtually cut off from the rest of the world.

lt took the shrewd business acumen of the indigenous companies to refurbish the severely damaged infrastructure.

“From now going forward, contracts of major projects should be done by locals. What was done here in Chimanimani is world class and the same is now happening along the Harare-Beitbridge Road. These companies helped in creating employment for the locals.

“I am told the companies that were involved in the reconstruction work employed more than 1 000 people, of which 80 percent of them were locals. The locals were also equipped with skills for use in future endeavours,” said the President. One of the construction firms, Masimba Holdings’ director, Mr Canaan Malunga hailed Government for believing in them.

“When we first came here after Cyclone Idai hit the area, it was all gloomy. We never thought we would ever gather here to celebrate this milestone achievement. We worked so hard to repay the confidence invested in us by the Government. We gave the project our best shot, taking into consideration President Mnangagwa’s mantra that we should rebuild better than before,” said Mr Malunga.

He also called for the setting up of a committee that incorporates the Civil Protection Committee and the private sector so that they work together in spearheading the refurbishment of all damaged infrastructure in the event of natural disasters.

President Mnangagwa also reassured the Cyclone Idai victims that are still living in tents that Government is working round the clock to provide them with decent accommodation.

“I have visited West End Farm where some of the victims will be relocated. We will ensure that those resettled there will be made as comfortable as possible. We do not want to destroy people’s livelihoods so we will ensure that they have irrigation and a good supply of water.

“I also urge people not to settle in areas where they will be exposed to danger. Those earmarked for relocation and resettlement should not resist the move, Government is there to safeguard their lives.

“The infrastructure that will be developed in the resettlement areas should also benefit the surrounding communities. We should all learn to co-exist. Unity, peace and harmony should prevail in the country as this will ensure development,” he said.

President Mnangagwa also called on all Zimbabweans to join hands in denouncing sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe.

“Last year, Sadc declared that the month of October should be used by the bloc to denounce sanctions. We should all join hands in speaking against these sanctions,” said the President.

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