Bulawayo, (New Ziana)- Boards and senior management of public entities under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development have been urged to entrench sound corporate governance, accountability and innovation as key enablers of infrastructure development and the drive towards attainment of upper middle income status by 2030.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona made the call on Monday while officially opening the 9th Session of the Ministry’s Public Entities Corporate Governance Oversight Meeting held in the second largest city.
The meeting brought together boards and senior executives of public entities under the Ministry’s oversight to review performance, assess governance standards and chart a way forward for the remainder of the year.
Mhona said sound governance remains the foundation for sustainable growth and improved service delivery across the transport sector.
“Strong corporate governance is not merely a compliance requirement, it is a strategic enabler of organisational performance, public trust and national development.
“As public entities, you are custodians of critical national infrastructure and resources. The decisions you make in your boardrooms have a direct bearing on the lives of millions of Zimbabweans and on the attainment of Vision 2030,” he said.
He commended public entities that have made progress in strengthening board oversight, improving financial reporting systems and complying with audit requirements.
“The progress recorded in several entities demonstrates that good governance yields tangible results. However, those institutions with outstanding governance issues must move with urgency to address them before the end of the year,” he said.
Mhona urged public entities to continue embracing transparency, accountability and ethical leadership to enhance operational efficiency and attract investment into the transport sector.
He highlighted major achievements recorded during the first half of the year, including continued progress on the Harare-Beitbridge highway upgrade, rehabilitation works on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road, expansion of tolling infrastructure and growth in aviation passenger traffic.
“We are witnessing encouraging progress across the sector. Strategic infrastructure projects are transforming connectivity, facilitating trade and improving the movement of people and goods. The rehabilitation of our road network, growth in aviation activity and ongoing efforts to recapitalise the National Railways of Zimbabwe are clear indicators of our commitment to building a modern, efficient and integrated transport system,” he explained.
Mhona however, said the sector continues to face emerging challenges that require innovative and forward-looking solutions.
“We cannot afford to be complacent. Climate change, infrastructure financing constraints, road safety concerns and rapid technological advancements demand that our institutions become more innovative, agile and collaborative.
He urged public entities to align their strategies with national development priorities while maintaining high standards of governance and performance.
“Good governance must translate into measurable outcomes, improved service delivery and value creation for the people of Zimbabwe. That is the benchmark against which our success will be judged,” he said.
The oversight meeting, convened in terms of Section 33(4) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act, provides a platform for public entities to evaluate performance, share best practices and strengthen governance systems across the transport and infrastructural sector.
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