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Wallace Ruzvidzo
Herald Reporter
PRESIDENT Mnangagwa has yet again demonstrated that he is a man of his word after superintending over the completion of multiple multi-million dollar projects ahead of next month’s 44th SADC Summit, which will be his crowning moment as the chairperson of the regional body.
Ahead of the summit, which Zimbabwe will host on August 17 and 18, all the requisite infrastructure is either complete or nearing completion, with Government on Tuesday saying all the works are 90 percent complete.
A VIP lounge at the Robert Mugabe International Airport is complete, the road leading to the New Parliament Building is also complete, while accommodation and other infrastructure have been spruced up to meet international standards.
Recently, during an assessment tour of the facilities leading to the New Parliament Building just outside Harare’s Central Business District, the President assured SADC leaders and their delegations that he would ensure they are treated to a one-of-a-kind experience during their stay in the country.
” . . . I have no doubt that we will accomplish the task. Yes, I am very happy that my vision is actualising slowly . . . I am so happy,” President Mnangagwa said.
“This is why we are working 24 hours a day to make sure we host SADC, here, in an environment never seen before and I believe that.”
He then assured the nation that development would continue beyond the summit, pursuant to the country’s current modernisation drive and attainment of Vision 2030.
“This infrastructure we are constructing is for posterity and will enable us to host more international meetings and conferences. The ongoing modernisation and transformation of our cities and towns will continue to all parts of the country,” said President Mnangagwa.
In a post-Cabinet media briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said roadworks and the rehabilitation of the State Pavilion at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport would be done by July 30.
Cabinet was apprised of the progress by Vice President Constantino Chiwenga.
“Government is rehabilitating three main access roads leading to the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, including the internal circulation roads. These access roads include Harare-Chirundu Road, Harare-Kanyemba Road and Old Mazowe Road.
“Government is also rehabilitating Greater Harare
roads and the scope of works includes rehabilitation, street lighting and landscaping of 37 roads in the Greater Harare area that link the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to the city, and also to Mt Hampden and New Parliament Building in particular.
“The overall progress of works is 90 percent and the target completion date is July 30, 2024,” said Dr Muswere.
During the summit, President Mnangagwa is also expected to take his fellow Heads of State and Government on a tour of the Geo Pomona Waste Management Operations in Harare, open the SADC Liberation Square at the Museum of African Liberation and deliver a public lecture at the University of Zimbabwe.
To ensure everything goes according to plan, technical preparatory sub-committees have been established and are working around the clock to ensure Zimbabwe hosts a memorable summit.
The sub-committees cover transport, protocol and conferencing, accommodation, entertainment and excursions, security and accreditation, media and publicity, health and environment, information, communication and technology, industrialisation week and public lecture and finance.
SADC has already thrown its weight behind the Liberation Square, saying such gestures were a “good realisation” of member states’ respective histories.
SADC Executive Secretary, Mr Elias Magosi, also acknowledged the encouraging progress made by Zimbabwe towards the successful one-of-a-kind Summit.
” . . . that committee is working with the (SADC) Secretariat, ourselves and my team, to make sure that the Summit is successful”.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter