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Gibson Mhaka
CABINET has approved the proposed Public-Private-Partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Zwane Enterprises (Private) Limited for the upgrading, construction and tolling of the 120 KM Old Gwanda Road, in a move aimed at speeding up essential infrastructure projects.
Under a new policy framework for Government shareholding in Public-Private Partnerships presented to Cabinet on Tuesday, the Government will assess all current PPPs to identify non-performing partnerships and initiate re-negotiations, to ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget.
Construction of the road is expected to be completed in 12 months at a cost of US$110 million. Zwane Enterprises will fully finance the project and will recoup its investment through tolling points along the road.
In his post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday afternoon, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere said the company will undertake the project through a Build-Operate-Transfer arrangement.
“Cabinet considered and approved the proposed Public-Private-Partnership between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and Zwane Enterprises (Private) Limited for the upgrading, construction and tolling of the Old Gwanda Road, as presented by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Mthuli Ncube as the Chairperson of the Public Private Partnership Committee.
“Zwane Enterprises (Private) Limited, a Zimbabwe incorporated company, will upgrade and construct the 120 kilometres Old Gwanda Road from Bulawayo City, through Matobo to Gwanda. Old Gwanda Road reduces the distance between Bulawayo and Gwanda by six kilometres, compared to the existing Bulawayo to Gwanda via Esigodini, Mbalabala, and Colleen Bawn,” said Dr Muswere.
In an interview with our sister paper,The Chronicle, Zwane Enterprises chief executive officer, Engineer Bekithemba Mbambo, welcomed the move, saying it showed confidence by the Cabinet in their company’s capacity to develop the road.
“The journey has been longer than the 120KM from Bulawayo to Gwanda that we will be developing. It has come to a point of no return,” he said.
“We have been waiting for quite some time and we are happy that finally we will be starting the work. We are just waiting to sign a concession agreement before we go to the ground.
“This is going to be a massive project that will have value chain benefits and create employment for locals,” said Eng Mbambo.
He said communities should brace themselves for the construction of the project and soon they will start relocating affected communities.
“We have plus or minus 43 homesteads that are going to be relocated to pave the way for the construction of the project. So, we are going to build them new homesteads before the project starts,” he said.
Meanwhile Cabinet has also approved the Review of the 2024 Children’s Party and 44th Independence Day Celebrations, which was presented by Vice President Kembo Mohadi, as the Chairperson of the Cabinet Committee on State Occasions and National Monuments.
Cabinet noted that the decentralisation of the hosting of the Children’s Party and Independence Day Celebrations continues to pay dividends following the successful holding of the 44th edition of the national events in Manicaland Province where a massive 78 000 people graced this year’s Celebrations, which were held at Murambinda Growth Point in Buhera District.
“The hosting schools, Murambinda A Primary, Murambinda B Primary and Murambinda B Secondary benefited through the state of the art soccer pitch with standardised Federation of International Football Association changing rooms, and through the construction of classroom and ablution STET.
“Existing buildings at the three schools were also spruced up. Furthermore, 30 business units were established, and a total of 88 boreholes were drilled in Buhera District, as part of championing the Presidential Rural Development Programme, with water being reticulated on 17 piped water schemes.
“Legacy orchards were established at Murambinda A Primary and Murambinda B Secondary Schools. The orchards will serve as a demonstration plot that will contribute to the food and nutrition status of the surrounding community,” said Minister Muswere.
In addition, 34 other schools across Manicaland Province were identified for the establishment of legacy plantations where a cumulative 44 000 trees will be planted on 51.7 hectares.
“The National e-Learning Strategy will be accelerated starting with 10 schools and His Excellency the President has given direction of 1 000 computers to Manicaland Province. Cabinet further advised that Interpretive Centres were constructed at the “Butcher Site” in Rusape and at Dzapasi National Monument, as part of the Second Republic’s memorialisation of liberation war sites. The Second Republic will continue to upgrade the respective sites in order to ensure that the country’s history is preserved,” said Dr Muswere.
Online Reporter