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Cabinet considered and approved the public-private partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Chirundu Border Consortium on the upgrade and modernisation of the Chirundu one stop border post, as proposed by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Prof Mthuli Ncube.
The project will be implemented under the Build, Operate, Own and Transfer model over a period of 20 years.
According to the agreement, Chirundu Border Consortium, a Zimbabwean registered company, will be responsible for the following:
Renovating existing border post buildings and infrastructure;
Constructing new buildings, weighbridges, roads and parking lots;
Enhancing, improving and integrating Information Communication Technology Systems (ICTS) into the border post operations;
Improving traffic processing systems; and Constructing staff housing.
In line with Government policy of promoting a private sector-led economy, Chirundu Border Consortium will fully provide the required funds to cover the estimated project cost to the tune of US$66,8 million.
The improvement of the Chirundu Border Post will bring immense economic benefits to the country, including the following:
It will complement the improved efficiency at the Beitbridge Border Post and the upgraded Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu highway. This will enhance the movement of transit traffic, thereby making this route the most preferred along the North-South Corridor.
The improved connectedness of Zimbabwe to the region will position the country to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area resulting from Zimbabwe moving goods much faster in the region than before.
The initiative will create employment opportunities for surrounding communities.
PREPARATIONS FOR THE 2024 HEROES DAY COMMEMORATIONS AND THE ZIMBABWE DEFENCE FORCES DAY CELEBRATIONS
Cabinet considered and noted the update on the preparations for the 2024 Heroes Day commemorations and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Day celebrations, as presented by the Minister of Defence, Honourable OCZ Muchinguri-Kashiri on behalf of the Honourable Vice President, Cde (Rtd) Col KCD Mohadi, chairman of the Combined Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments Committee on Honours and Awards.
The National Heroes Day will be commemorated on August 12, at the National Heroes Acre in Harare, with provinces simultaneously holding commemorations in their respective jurisdictions. Preparations for the events are at an advanced stage.
To date, the number of national heroes and heroines countrywide stands at 213, with 198 interred at the national shrine.
The Defence Forces Day will be celebrated on August 13 at Rufaro Stadium in Harare under the theme, “Guaranteeing a Conducive Environment for Attainment of Vision 2030”.
Prior to this, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces will carry out community assistance projects from August 5 to 9, and the completed projects will be handed over to the communities.
The ZDF will also carry out a week-long medical outreach during which they will offer free consultations and treatment for minor ailments. Preparations for this event are also at advanced stage.
May 14th of every year was set aside for the National Honours and Awards Conferment ceremony, and in view of the exigencies that prevented the holding of the same on the designated day, the honours and awards conferment ceremony will be held as a joint event with the heroes commemoration, as in previous years.
However, starting next year, a separate conferment ceremony will be held on the stipulated date, with the nomination process already underway.
The conferment of medals on those that exuded valour and humanitarianism by selflessly dedicating themselves and performing outstandingly in various fields is meant to immortalise and memorialise these individuals for honourably serving the nation in certain distinct ways.
Of particular note is that at this year’s Heroes and Defence Forces Days, there shall be conferment of six awards, namely:
The Royal Order of Munhumutapa, one person will be honoured;
Order of the Star of Zimbabwe, one person will be honoured;
The Gold Cross of Zimbabwe, two individuals will be honoured;
The Silver Cross of Zimbabwe, two individuals will be honoured;
The Commendation Medal, one person will be honoured; and
Independence Medals to veterans of the liberation struggle, including war collaborators. A total of 2 000 to be honoured across the 10 provinces.
2024 MID-YEAR BUDGET AND ECONOMIC REVIEW
Cabinet received the 2024 Mid-Year Budget and Economic Review, as presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Prof. Mthuli Ncube.
Full details of the review will be presented to Parliament on Thursday as per standing statutory requirements. The 2025 Budget Strategy Paper was also presented to Cabinet for noting.
ACCELERATING IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT FOR NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY AND RURAL MODERNISATION AND INDUSTRIALISATION
Cabinet considered and noted the update on the acceleration of irrigation development for National Food Security and Rural Modernisation and Industrialisation, as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Honourable Dr Anxious Jongwe Masuka.
The Accelerated Irrigation Rehabilitation and Development Plan was approved in 2021, with the major objective being to develop 350 000 hectares for summer irrigation by 2025, and targeting to produce 1,8 million tonnes of summer cereals annually, at 5 tonnes per hectare.
This will be enough to feed the population at a planning consumption rate of 120kg per person per year although actual consumption is 92kgper person per year.
During the 39-year period extending from 1980 to 2019, the area under irrigation increased by a mere 13 percent, from 150 000 hectares to 169 000 hectares.
Relatively, the area under irrigation increased by 28 percent from 169 000 hectares in 2019 to 217 000 hectares in 2024.
This is the fastest irrigation expansion rate since Independence, courtesy of the accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development plan launched by His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa.
As a result of the launch of the accelerated irrigation rehabilitation and development plan, the average irrigable area developed increased from an average of 487 hectares per year during the period from 1980 to 2019 to an average of 9 600 hectares per year during the 5-year period from 2019 to 2024.
Pertinent to note is that Zimbabwe has over 10,6 billion cubic metres of water in 10 600 dams, capable of irrigating 2,2 million hectares to support the required irrigation expansion drive to a projected 496 000 hectares by 2030.
In the context of managing climate change, four models are key and instrumental to bringing the envisioned irrigation development agenda which will ensure that food production is independent of the status of the rainy season, but a function of the harvested rainfall.
These include the following:
Model for irrigation development where infrastructure exists, targeting to develop about 20 686 hectares;
Model for irrigation development around dams, targeting the existing 10 600 dams;
Model for corporate irrigation development, given that 278 645 people are on the waiting list and 10 000 diasporans have indicated willingness to access land; and
Model for smallholder irrigation development.
Meanwhile, an irrigation investment conference was held on July 5th, 2024 at the Harare International Conference Centre to accelerate the participation of the private sector in irrigation development as a key strategy to climate proofing agriculture.
At the conference, several companies indicated their willingness to participate in the irrigation expansion drive and fruitful engagements are ongoing.
Deals worth US$226 million were signed.
PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR THE 2ND 100-DAY CYCLE OF 2024
Cabinet considered and approved the priority projects for the Second 100-Day Cycle of 2024 and the mid-term reporting schedule, as presented by the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Honourable Lovemore Matuke.
The Second 100-Day Cycle of 2024 commenced on May 21 and will end on August 29.
A total of 189 projects were submitted by 24 ministries, departments and agencies.
The highest number of projects falls under the infrastructure and utilities thematic area of the National Development Strategy 1, which plays a crucial role in the country’s overall socio-economic development.
The infrastructure and utilities thematic area has 46 projects followed by the digital economy thematic area with 16 projects. The Youth Sport and Culture, and the human capital development thematic areas have 15 projects each.
Other thematic areas have projects ranging from 3 to 14.
Tracking and validation of implementation progress will be conducted by the Office of the Special Advisor to the President on monitoring implementation of Government programmes and projects in collaboration with the offices of the Ministers of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution and the Public Service Commission.
After day 50, respective ministers are expected to report implementation progress. At the close of the cycle, a consolidated second 100-Day Cycle of 2024 publication will be produced.
The Executive Electronic Dashboard (EED) remains a pivotal tool for real-time reporting and decision-making at all levels.
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