Remember Deketeke-Municipal Correspondent
THE first phase of the Mabvuku-Tafara interchange is now 81 percent complete and is expected to be finished by the end of next month, as Zimbabwe steps up infrastructure development to ease traffic congestion, improve road safety and support economic growth.
Acting Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Paul Mavima yesterday toured Chemhanza Grounds, the new Mbare Musika market, Epworth Musika and the Mabvuku-Tafara Interchange to assess progress on various development projects.
He said the projects reflected the Second Republic’s commitment to modernising infrastructure, supporting entrepreneurs and creating employment.
“At every station, we witnessed the wonderful work that the Second Republic is doing in terms of infrastructure in general,” he said.
At Chemhanza Grounds, Prof Mavima said modern working spaces are being developed for furniture manufacturers operating at Glen View Area 8 Home Industry, where overcrowding, fire hazards, and poor sanitary conditions have raised concerns.
The new site will accommodate existing operators, while their current premises are renovated and refurbished.
“What Government is doing is not just decongesting, but also providing modern infrastructure to those entrepreneurs at the new site before renovating and refurbishing the current site,” he said.
At the new Mbare Musika, developed through a public-private partnership, Prof Mavima said outstanding issues need to be resolved to improve occupancy, while plans are underway to modernise the old market.
“We wish to have a number of issues resolved so that the uptake of those spaces is brought to a higher level. The old Mbare Musika will also be modernised,” he said.
In Epworth, the delegation toured a UN-Habitat-supported waste management facility benefiting more than 20 000 women, a poultry project employing 35 women, and a green building constructed using locally developed skills.
They also visited a women’s market supported by UN Women, which includes childcare facilities to provide a safer and more convenient working environment for female traders.
Prof Mavima commended contractor Premier Rocks for progress on the Mabvuku-Tafara interchange, which removes a major congestion point on the Harare-Mutare highway and will improve connectivity between eastern Harare, Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, and Masvingo Road, while easing traffic congestion in the central business district.
“We are very happy to demonstrate the commitment that Government has to improving the infrastructure of this country, which is the facilitator for trade, industrialisation and the general prosperity of our people,” he said.
The project is expected to improve traffic flow and road safety at a junction that has been associated with congestion and serious accidents.
Motorist Mr Langton Moyo said the interchange will address longstanding challenges in the area.
“Besides traffic gridlocks, this area had become a black spot where several people died, while others were seriously injured in road traffic accidents. It is my hope that when it is completed, all these things will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Prof Mavima said progress is also being made on the Msasa interchange, with further phases of infrastructure development planned.
Harare Metropolitan Province Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Charles Tawengwa said the projects are creating an enabling environment for the implementation of National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and the attainment of Vision 2030.
He said infrastructure development is critical to stimulating investment, creating employment, and improving people’s livelihoods.
“Government is creating an enabling environment for economic development through the provision of modern infrastructure that supports business growth, investment and employment creation.”
The projects demonstrate Government’s determination to translate its development policies into tangible benefits for communities.
“These initiatives speak to the aspirations of NDS2 and Vision 2030, as we work towards building an empowered and prosperous upper-middle-income society by 2030,” he said.
Sen Tawengwa said modern markets and improved road networks will strengthen economic activity while providing entrepreneurs with better opportunities to grow their businesses.
“We want to ensure that our people operate in safe, modern and conducive environments where they can grow their businesses, create employment and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
A beneficiary of the Epworth open market, Mrs Tertia Dube, said the facility was allowing her to provide a livelihood for her family.
