adminthe diverse local exhibitions that were on offer.
Massive infrastructure development projects both planned and being implemented were also revealed.
The expo was held under the theme “Activating sustainable value chains in the built environment” and was aimed at providing a branding platform for products and services in the country’s built environment.
The over 80 exhibitors from across the country’s construction industry who managed to pitch up at the expo were not outwitted by the windy and dusty weather conditions that they endured with for three days as they surely achieved their objectives judging from the obtained feedback.
According to Zimbuild founder and chief executive Ms Monica Kanyepi the built environment sector, which is responsible for development and rehabilitation of the country’s infrastructure, has in recent years been marginalised by authorities who have been touting for the advancement of sectors such as agriculture and mining, ahead of the built environment. A business conference that ran parallel to the exhibition provided a platform for stakeholders to network and dialogue.
During the course of discussion it was revealed that an estimated US$14,2 billion (African Development Bank report) was required to finance critical infrastructure projects in the water, power, transport and communications sectors in the next 10 years in Zimbabwe.
Of this amount US$4,7 billion or 33 percent is earmarked for financing by the private sector whilst the balance will be secured from development and other banks, donors and national budgetary allocations.
The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ), an institution established to champion infrastructure development in the country, has already made some significant inroads in partnership with the public and private sector in rehabilitating and developing key water, transport and communications projects.
Presenting a paper at the conference, IDBZ public relations executive Priscillah Mapuranga revealed that with respect to water, dams and irrigation projects, the bank is working closely with the Zimbabwe National
Water Authority on the construction of a pipeline from Mtshabezi Dam to Mzingwane as well as the construction of the Bubi-Lupane Dam.
Government has so far disbursed a total of US$53 million through IDBZ for water reticulation, sewer and irrigation projects.
In the transport sector, IDBZ is involved in the rehabilitation of national roads and rail infrastructure as part of the enhancement of the regional trunk road and rail network.
On the aviation front, the bank is engaged in the rehabilitation of Harare Airport and the completion of the Joshua Mqabuko Airport.
To date a total of US$61million has been disbursed towards transport projects.
In the energy sector, the bank is working closely with Zesa in financing the rehabilitation of Hwange and Kariba power stations over a total of US$25 million that has been disbursed so far. The ICT sector has also benefited from the bank’s rollout as they are working closely with TelOne (Pvt) Ltd in the rehabilitation of the broadcasting transmission network being undertaken by Transmedia Zimbabwe as well as the Harare-
Mutare and Harare-Bulawayo Beitbridge fibre optic link projects. A total of US$9,3 million has so far been disbursed towards this sector.
In the housing sector, a number of projects, which include Graniteside Park flats in partnership with City of Harare as well as Willowvale flats, have been completed.
The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities has also been roped in to facilitate various housing projects countrywide. A total of US$21 million has so far been disbursed to this sector which includes accommodation structures for tertiary institutions and State universities.
A total of US$1 million finance package has also been earmarked for the Association of Rural District Councils with a view to facilitate access of funds by rural district councils to finance funding of plant and equipment necessary for rehabilitation of rural roads.
During the exhibition, two locally owned indigenous companies proved critics of indigenisation wrong with exciting exhibitions of business concepts for the energy sector and built environment respectively.
Power Network (Pvt) Ltd, an electrical engineering company based in Harare, showcased state of the art equipment that they use in high- voltage maintenance and construction projects.
With the liberalisation of the energy sector, private entities such as Power Network (Pvt) Ltd are set to give the local power utility Zesa stiff competition in the industrial sector as they are able to construct substations, generator rooms, power lines and carry out infrared thermography among some of their expert services which were traditionally monopolised by Zesa.
In the built environment exhibitions Acsend Concrete (Pvt) Ltd were outstanding with their display of high quality locally produced pre-cast and pre-stress concrete products which were traditionally known to be produced by white-owned manufacturing companies in recent years.
Acsend culvert pipes and shelverts have been used in capital national infrastructure projects such as the Harare-Norton road dualisation works.
The company is currently in dialogue with regional project managers for possible export of their products to Zambia and Mozambique in 2012.
- Peter Banda is the Secretary-General and Chief Executive of the Project Management Institute of Zimbabwe (PMIZ). Send your views & comments via email; [email protected] website link www.pmiz.org.zw
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