Sundaymail Editor
Tanyaradzwa Rusike
CONSTRUCTION of the Melfort Smart City in Mashonaland East province is at an advanced stage as the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities has put requisite modalities in place and now awaits transfer of land from relevant authorities.
Strategically located on the Harare-Mutare Highway, the mini-city is expected to be a major economic hub in the province.
The concept of smart cities involves harnessing latest technology to create ultra-modern and environmentally friendly infrastructure to improve citizens’ quality of life.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, National Housing and Social Amenities Minister Daniel Garwe said smart cities will promote development of rural areas and decongest Harare.
“With Independence in 1980, we saw an excessive movement from rural to urban communities and this has congested not only housing but road, water and sewer networks because all those things were designed for fewer people.
“Smart cities are a new concept where people live, play and work. His Excellency, President Mnangagwa has championed this visionary concept. He is now saying let’s create dormitory cities or complementary cities which we are now calling smart cities. So, we are not creating them to compete with existing cities but complement them.” Financial resources for the Melfort Smart City project have been mobilised.
“In terms of planning, we are at a very advanced stage. We get land from local authorities and relevant ministries. Currently, we are in the process of transferring land so that we start the project but in terms of mobilising financial resources and investors, all that has been done. We are getting part of the funds from Treasury, but I am not ready to reveal figures at present,” said Minister Garwe.
One of the contractors engaged for the Melfort Smart City, Galnet Construction, said it is ready to embark on the project.
Galnet’s team leader, Engineer Gaudencia Sigauke, said: “From the contractors’ point of view, we really appreciate the smart cities approach and we are going to work together with Government to provide modern structures that will give a new face to the area.
“We welcome this approach because it will improve the lifestyle of citizens, promote infrastructure development and create employment.”
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