admin
Emmah Chinyamutangira Manicaland Correspondent
Government in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef) is coming up with measures to bring infrastructure investment towards the reconstruction of Cyclone Idai-damaged areas.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and Unicef on Tuesday held a meeting in Mutare where stakeholders discussed possible solutions to the challenges that were hindering the implementation of planned projects under the Infrastructure Investment Plan.
Speaking during the meeting, director of the Public Sector Investment Programme in the ministry Mr Fidelis Ngorora said the implementation of some projects has stalled due to economic challenges.
“We are meeting implementing agencies in Mutare to discuss innovative solutions to making sure we continue to achieve the objectives that we set for ourselves in the 2019 Infrastructure Investment Plan. The plan itself identifies specific projects like building of schools, hospitals and clinics countrywide but because of the economic challenges, we have stopped so that we can address some of the challenges.
“We are also meeting in the context of Cyclone Idai. These are additional demands which are coming on the budget on account of a natural event which we did not plan for. We are working on how we can incorporate Cyclone Idai projects in our plans and how we can make sure we reduce the suffering and inconvenience in affected communities towards management of education and providing a good environment for teachers. We are also contributing in the construction of irrigation schemes and roads,” said Mr Ngorora.
The Infrastructure Investment Plan was implemented this year in line with Vision 2030 as well as the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP).
Government has been working in collaboration with Unicef to engage the social sectors and provide services such as education, health and social welfare.
Mr Ngorora added that they were also engaging other ministries to find out how they can contribute towards the achievement of the objectives.
“ We are now reprioritising these projects and identifying those which we would want to achieve by the end of year within the context of available resources,” he said.
He added that they had engaged major input suppliers like cement manufacturers to accept RTGS dollars at a prescribed rate since most of them were now selling in foreign currency.
Online Reporter