Sundaymail Editor
ZIMBABWE now has five years, or less, to fully transition into an empowered, modern, prosperous and highly industrialised nation, in line with the vision conceptualised by President Mnangagwa.
While this might have been perceived as highly ambitious, the achievements and milestones made since 2018, under the Second Republic, clearly indicate that this dream — regardless of the obstacles we have faced, are facing and will continue to face — is indeed achievable.
No matter how much cynics and critics might try to discount the development — nay, developments — currently underway, it cannot be denied that the face of Zimbabwe is changing in ways never seen in recent history.
And this is happening in every part of the country.
In Mt Hampden, a new modern and majestic Parliament building, which is the seat of the people’s power, now towers over the landscape, as if to symbolise the renewed vaulting ambition of the people of Zimbabwe, particularly in an area that is set to become the new capital.
Key roads in and around the capital have been modernised. The expanded and modernised Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport now greets visitors in Harare.
A new impressive labyrinthine network of roads is taking shape and nearing completion at the Mbudzi Traffic Interchange, now Trabablas Interchange, in what will surely become a signature infrastructure development project.
Need we also mention the modernised Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway and the Beitbridge Border Post, which, in addition to the convenience they afford to travellers, have become a source of pride for Zimbabweans.
Last week, the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services embarked on a whirlwind tour of some the projects that have been implemented thus far.
The list is too long to mention.
While the progress we have made over the past seven years is nothing short of impressive, the work that is still outstanding is huge, especially after the sanctions-induced stagnation of the past two decades.
If anything, this makes the achievements under the Second Republic incredible.
To make such progress while facing extraordinary odds takes structural and organisational discipline, especially in an environment where the country has had to rely on internally generated resources.
This is why President Mnangagwa has over the years been doubling down on governance reforms to ensure that the Government and its departments and agencies are primed to efficiently deliver services — and deliver on time.
This has seen the consolidation of bodies that interface with investors into the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency as part of the ease of doing business reforms, and the reform of the public finance management system to ensure transparency and accountability. In addition, the Whole-of-Government approach, which is meant to break the red tape that comes with silos, has been a game-changer in project implementation.
And, as we report elsewhere in this paper, the latest interventions include introducing new procurement procedures to address inflated prices and project delays, whilst also enhancing the efficiency and quality of infrastructure projects across key sectors.
Some of the pitfalls of the ongoing accelerated infrastructure development drive have been abuse of resources and, in some instances, poor workmanship, as well as project delays.
A case in point is the Mbudzi Interchange, where some officials were arrested for colluding to inflate the value of properties whose owners were to be compensated to make way for development.
Now, under the envisaged new system, the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) will chair inter-ministerial committees that will spearhead the procurement process, coordination and implementation of infrastructure projects in five key sectors of the economy: health; education; transport; housing; water and sanitation.
The inter-ministerial committees will include officials from parent ministries, as well as the Ministries of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; and Local Government and Public Works; and local authorities.
The parties are expected to spearhead procurement processes, vetting of contractors, coordination, implementation, timelines, monitoring and evaluation of various infrastructure projects across the country.
In a way, the new system is part of the value-for-money exercise that was introduced in 2022 to prevent suppliers from inflating prices of goods and services supplied to Government ministries, departments and agencies.
Overall, all this is particularly meant to ensure quality and timely delivery of national projects and services.
Not only will this result in the expeditious implementation of national projects, but it will help save on costs and achieve Vision 2030 as well. Contractors from China, for example, are known for completing projects within three years in order to avoid cost escalations, which normally lead to inordinate delays, among other challenges.
“A more efficient public procurement system can stimulate growth by attracting reputable contractors confident in a transparent bidding process. This can foster increased competition, driving down costs while enhancing service delivery,” Dr Denis Kagande, a public health expert, is quoted as saying.
“Moreover, as infrastructure improves, it can spur economic activities across various sectors, creating job opportunities and boosting local economies. These new procurement procedures signify a pivotal shift towards a more accountable and efficient public sector that prioritises citizens’ needs while promoting economic growth. It’s indeed an exciting time for Zimbabwe’s economy.”
So, the latest interventions should be viewed as part of a continuum in reforms that are meant to make local institutions better able to deliver, in line with national aspirations and goals.
All this will quicken our pace towards the realisation of Vision 2030.
Online Reporter