Sundaymail Editor
Debra Matabvu
Targeted projects to improve water supplies, rehabilitate solid waste management systems and upgrade healthcare facilities are among 40-high impact programmes that Government is undertaking over the next 100 days.
The projects were chosen for their immediate impact on people’s livelihoods.
Funding has already been approved, while disbursements have commenced.
A report outlining the projects obtained from the office of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring Implementation of Government Programmes shows that 14 wastewater drop-off sites are being constructed in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo and Gwanda under the 100-day programme.
These are expected to improve sanitation and wastewater management in high-density areas such as Mbare, Glen View, Makokoba and Mkoba, which have been epicentres of diarrheal diseases such as cholera over the years.
“The Integrated Solid Waste Management Project will be implemented in the following locations: Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Gwanda and Masvingo,” reads the report in part.
“Fourteen waste drop sites are targeted, with improved environmental stewardship envisioned.”
Health
During the period, Government will finance drilling boreholes at 100 clinics and refurbish the Chegutu District Hospital, which is along the Harare-Bulawayo highway.
Pupu Clinic in Matabeleland North will also be constructed.
A high-tech electronic health records system will be rolled out at 750 health facilities.
“Government plans to have a borehole water supply system functional at 100 clinics across all provinces.
“Government also plans to refurbish Chegutu Hospital and resuscitate theatre services there.
“The hospital is along the main Harare-Bulawayo highway; therefore, serves people from all over Zimbabwe.
“Government also plans to construct Pupu Clinic in Lupane to improve access to healthcare services for marginalised community.”
Food Security
A total of 5 000 hectares of land is being cleared for irrigation, while 70 000 hectares is being prepared for winter wheat within the targeted timelines.
There are plans to commission new flour and saw mills in Manicaland to increase the availability of flour and timber production in the country.
The mills are expected to promote food security, create employment and increase foreign currency generation.
As new investment and expansion projects continue to come on line, a new explosives plant is set to be opened by Jiangshan Civil Explosives.
“A new flour mill is set to installed at Mega Market in Mutare. It is expected to increase the availability of flour in the market, increase employment in the town and nationwide and also promote food security in the country,” the report said.
“Allied Timber in Chimanimani will install a new sawmill which will strengthen the value chain of the timber industry, increase activity in the downstream industries, increase employment creation and increase foreign generation.
“In Chinhoyi, Jiangshan Civil Explosives will establish a new plant which will increase local production of explosives, increase flow of tax revenue and production of engineering materials.”
Other projects that have already commenced include the registration of 300 Ex-Witwatersrand Native Labour Association (Wenela) in order to assist the ex-miners get compensation and the construction of 37 core houses in Binga, Matabeleland North.
The 100-day rapid results model is being used to drive the National Development Strategy 1 and lay a roadmap for the attainment of a relatively prosperous society which is envisioned by Vision 2030.
Through the 100-day programme, all ministers are required to submit to the Office of the President and Cabinet a minimum of five projects they intend to implement over a 100-day period.
The projects are then monitored by President Mnangagwa via the Electronic Executive Dashboard.
During last week’s post-Cabinet briefing, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said: “The priority projects were selected based on set criteria, with the key criterion being that they should have an evident positive impact on the livelihoods of the citizenry by contributing to the attainment of the National Development Strategy 1: 2021-2025.
“The selected projects are therefore citizen-centric, of high impact, can be implemented rapidly and have readily available resources.”
Online Reporter