Chronicle Editor
Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
THE Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube, has assured the residents of Cowdray Park that Government will continue with the thrust of transforming the high density suburb into a smart city.
He said they will optimise various functions and promote economic growth while also improving the quality of life for residents by using smart technologies.
Prof Ncube embarked on massive development work at the largest high density suburb of Bulawayo early this year that saw the construction of roads, installation of free WiFi services infrastructure, drilling of more than 30 boreholes among other projects.
The Government further constructed a 22-bed health centre.
In an interview with Sunday News during a recent visit to the suburb, Prof Ncube said his thrust has always been to develop the suburb and he will not rest till that was fulfilled.
“I am here in Cowdray Park to assure the residents that I am still with them and we are continuing with the development programme which we started. We want to assure them that Government is committed to uplifting this area so that it catches up with other areas.
“I have always said that I will make sure that this becomes a smart city. I am happy and would like to congratulate the people of Cowdray Park for voting for development during the recently held by-elections,” said Prof Ncube.
He said the Government will work on finishing the already existing projects before embarking on larger capital projects like construction of schools and a technical college.
“The programme involves finishing off the roads which we started, we were slowed down by some issues but we are continuing with those roads as well as building more schools in the area. This area needs about 30 new schools so we need to build those schools.
“There is the issue of water, we are expecting El Nino now, so water will become a very big issue here in Cowdray Park. I am pleased that the 35 boreholes that I assisted in drilling are serving the community. However, some of them need to be fixed as well as increasing their number while some need to be solarised so that we are able to set up nutritional gardens,” said Prof Ncube.
He said he will continue capacitating the youth through various empowerment programmes including helping them supplement Ordinary and Advanced Level subjects.
“The youth need further training and I have assured them that the courses around supplementing O-level and A-level as well as technical courses are continuing. We need to train our youth for the future.
“I have encouraged the new Member of the National Assembly, Cde Arthur Mujeyi, that we need to forge ahead and establish a technical college here in Cowdray Park as it is very important so that we can absorb the youth and they acquire life changing skills,” said Prof Ncube.
Turning to Information and Communication Technology which is the backbone of the envisioned smart city, Prof Ncube said Starlink presents Cowdray Park and the country with a wonderful opportunity to provide cheaper WiFi services in communities such as urban and rural areas. He said it will supplement other services that are already in place.
“As Government we are looking into Starlink so that we see how we can embrace it to provide these cheaper internet services. We have to digitalise and we have to do it in the least cost as possible,” said Prof Ncube.–@nyeve14
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