Bulawayo, (New Ziana)-Partnerships between the government, business and civil society are effective mechanisms towards achieving sustainable development and delivering more modern infrastructure projects, Vice President Chiwenga said on Wednesday.
He said this while officiating at the 2024 edition of the Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment Conference and Expo (AfriConfex) held at Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre. The event was co-organised by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair company.
AfriConfex is the country`s biggest gathering of buyers and sellers covering the entire built environment value chain. It is influenced by the government’s national vision to achieve an upper middle-class economy by 2030 and its consequent infrastructure development drive. AfriConfex also provides the platform for distinctive opportunities for knowledge exchange, business expansion, networking and learning.
This year’s expo ran under theme, “Resilient Cities, Thriving Africa: Building Sustainable Infrastructure for Economic Growth”.
“Partnership between government, business and civil society are an effective mechanism towards achieving sustainable development,” VP Chiwenga said.
“By bringing together resources, competencies and constituencies of different partners, we can, as a nation, tackle our infrastructural challenges in innovative ways, build buy-in and ownership from stakeholders and find appropriate and sustainable solutions to influence and benefit society,” he added.
Vice President Chiwenga said the government is committed to the continuous provision of a conducive environment for private sector participation in the infrastructural sector.
“It is incumbent on the private sector and individual communities to complement Government`s efforts as we step into the next stage of our economic recovery and growth trajectory.
“Together as one, we can do more to accelerate sustainable infrastructure investments in Zimbabwe through win-win partnership,” he said. He said due to the high cost of infrastructure development there is need for smarter infrastructure investment. VP Chiwenga called for unity amongst African country in developing infrastructure.
“To our African brothers and sisters, let me acknowledge that our infrastructure development challenges are the same. We need to join hands as we develop the Africa we want. “It is important for us to note that the African population is projected to double by 2050 and therefore there is an urgent need to invest in infrastructure projects that can support sustainable economic growth for African countries,” he said, adding infrastructure forms the backbone of economic development, providing the necessary physical and social systems for sustained growth.
“As we convene today, we should give impetus to the pivotal role infrastructure plays in improving the quality of life of our citizens as well as connecting people and places.”
He implored delegates to take the opportunity to share insights and experiences from continental and beyond, in order to learn from successful episodes, and challenges faced.
VP Chiwenga highlighted that the Second Republic has focused on the restoration of basic infrastructural services including expansion in critical areas mainly targeting the key sectors of energy, transport, water and sanitation, health, housing, education as well as information and communication technology.
“I am delighted to highlight that the Second Republic has continued to champion some economically and socially transformative projects. This year alone, some of the projects that were undertaken in the infrastructure sector include the New Parliament access roads, Emergency Road Rehabilitation Works Project, Mbudzi Interchange and Associated Works Project, Harare-Kanyemba road upgrading and widening,” he said.
Other projects VP Chiwenga cited include Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe upgrading and widening, Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare-Chirundu highway, Zimbabwe State Pavilion and upgrading of domestic terminal at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Air control system and secondary radar surveillance at RGM Airport.
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