Online Reporter
WE publish here the speech delivered by President Mnangagwa at the commissioning of Trabablas Interchange in Harare yesterday.
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Director of Ceremonies; National Chairman of ZANU PF and Minister of Defence, Hon OCZ Muchinguri-Kashiri; Minister of State for Harare Metropolitan Province, Hon CZ Tawengwa; Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon FT Mhona; Other Honourable Ministers here present; Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Dr M Rushwaya;
Senior Government officials; Our traditional leaders; Mayor of the City of Harare, His Worship, Councillor J Mafume:
Representatives from contractors, TEFOMA; Distinguished guests; Ladies and gentlemen.
It is my singular honour to officiate at this commissioning of yet another key project by my Government, the Trabablas Interchange Project. This event showcases the significant milestones in our country’s infrastructure development drive. It is indeed evidence of the commitment by our ruling ZANU PF party, to deliver on its promises made to the people of our great motherland, Zimbabwe.
The Second Republic is decisively advancing the transformation of our national infrastructure with benefits accruing to all other sectors of the economy and the quality of life of our people.
ZANU PF promises and ZANU PF delivers. We are delivering. This is real, here in Zimbabwe, we have done it. All the “Doubting Thomas” are invited to come and see. Let us be proud of who we are, and what we can achieve.
I congratulate the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, our contractors and other stakeholders for a job well done. Makorokoto, Amhlophe.
As we are all aware, the availability of appropriate and adequate infrastructure is key for to the realisation of Vision 2030.Presently, our national development priorities are mindful of the growing population, urbanisation, as well as the increased demand for quality services.
In this regard, transport infrastructure was singled out as one of the critical enablers for economic growth, development, industrialisation and modernisation. It is also central to the, accessibility to goods and key services, leading to an overall improvement in the quality of life for the citizenry.
The growth of the economy and increased performance of all sectors exerted pressure on our roads. This has resulted in traffic congestion, accidents, frustrating delays and the loss of production and family time.
As we are all aware, the availability of appropriate and adequate infrastructure is key for to the realisation of Vision 2030. Presently, our national development priorities are mindful of the growing population, urbanisation, as well as the increased demand for quality services.
In this regard, transport infrastructure was singled out as one of the critical enablers for economic growth, development, industrialisation and modernisation.
It is also central to the, accessibility to goods and key services, leading to an overall improvement in the quality of life for the citizenry.
The growth of the economy and increased performance of all sectors exerted pressure on our roads. This has resulted in traffic congestion, accidents, frustrating delays and the loss of production and family time.
In view of this, my Government developed a comprehensive, long-term strategy to transform our transport system to make it more efficient, sustainable and people-centred. The implementation of this multi-pronged approach focuses on improving the current infrastructure, upgrading public transport and ensuring behavioural change among road users transport stakeholders.
One project under this strategy was the construction of this state-of-the-art Interchange. With its completion, we expect a transformation in the way we travel, a reduction in congestion and improved connectivity, not only with regards to local transport,but also along the North-South Corridor.
This landmark Interchange connects three major roads, Simon Mazorodze, High Glen and Chitungwiza. The project involved the construction of 15 major bridge 18, structures, some as high as 18 metres from ground, with 13 of them directly on the Interchange and 2 on Amalinda and Harare Drive. I want to commend the people, who were within this vicinity, who supported the construction of this project, in the national interest. Tinokutendayi, Siyalibonga.
Once again, Congratulations, Makorokoto, Amhlophe, for a job well done. We are indeed shifting our national development planning and programming towards the realisation of high-impact, visible and tangible results that benefit all the people of our country and the economy.
Fellow Zimbabweans; The construction of this interchange is not an isolated project but part of my Government’s plan to ease congestion across cities. Under this initiative, we are widening major roads leading into the Central Business Districts, which will be complemented by appropriate interchanges at major intersections.
Processes for the construction of two more interchanges along this road, are underway. These will be at the intersection of Simon Mazorodze and Willowvale Roads, as well as Simon Mazorodze and Remembrance Drive.
Additionally, four interchanges will also be constructed at the Mabvuku Junction; Harare Drive/Mutare Road; Harare Drive/Liberation Legacy Way; Nemakonde Way/Harare Drive; Sam Nujoma/Harare Drive; Westgate Traffic Circle; Kuwadzana Traffic Circle and Churchill/Liberation Way.
Nine junctions shall be updated as part of the JM Nkomo Road (RGM International Airport Road) upgrade to grade separation structures.
In addition, smart traffic management systems are now also in place and will be deployed towards optimising traffic flow through intelligent systems. The roll out of these systems must be publicised and see greater discipline of our roads.
These projects are expected to bring noticeable improvement to Harare’s transportation infrastructure and facilitate a smoother flow of traffic towards economic growth.
Riding on the Whole of Government and Society Approach, I, urge, ministries, departments and agencies to continue working closely together, so that these envisaged plans are a success. Together, we can achieve more high impact developmental results.
Without doubt, this project is the ultimate culmination and robust assertion of the value of partnerships. This includes state and non-state actor collaboration in the form of Government, business, financial institutions and communities, rallying towards the common goal of nation-building.
I extend my heartfelt recognition and gratitude to TEFOMA Construction, as well as other suppliers and contractors for your invaluable support in Zimbabwe’s development journey. Your trust in our vision and willingness to partner with us is appreciated.
I also applaud the engineers, planners, skilled artisans, construction workers, and all who dedicated their expertise and labour to bring this vision to life. These abundant skills in our great motherland, Zimbabwe should now be deployed for the modernisation of infrastructure across the entire SADC region and our Africa continent as a whole.
Beyond its economic value, this project has created jobs and empowered local contractors, while also showcasing Zimbabwe’s engineering prowess. Over 2 000 workers, including the youth and women, were directly employed on this project.
Further, the ripple effects on downstream industries were also noteworthy, with most of the materials used being sourced and manufactured locally. The hard work, professional flexibility, focus and unity of purpose have laid a strong foundation for future projects.
Road construction can be inconvenient, causing disruptions to daily life, business and travel routines. Deep gratitude is, thus, extended to the businesses and local communities around this Interchange and beyond. Your cooperation, patience and understanding have been instrumental in assisting my Government to bring this Interchange to reality. Together, we demonstrated that ‘Nyika inovakwa, inotongwa, inonamatigwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe, likhu-le-ke-lwe ngabanikazi balo.’ Ndinokutendai mose, Ngiyalibonga lonke.
It is my fervent hope that the benefits that will be brought about by this project will serve as an enduring reward for your resilience and support. Let us continue to build our country, Zimbabwe, brick by brick, stone upon stone.
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen; Our unique geographical location positions Zimbabwe as a critical link between major markets, facilitating the movement of people, goods and services. This is critical for advancing both regional and continental integration.
Through the ‘Road Corridors Approach’, our efforts in upgrading road infrastructure are bearing fruit. The North-South Corridor; Beira Development; and Limpopo Corridors are anchors of our connectivity as a land-linked and transit country. To this end, my Government is implementing a broad array of initiatives to reduce transit times.
These include infrastructure like this Trabablas Interchange, which lies along the North-South Corridor. Similarly, upgrades of the Harare-Beitbridge, Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Roads, among others, dovetail with this quest. The construction of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road; Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, and Harare-Chirundu Road, among others, remains our priority. Additionally, my administration is modernisation and streamlining customs procedures and border management.
Ladies and Gentlemen; As we commission this interchange, let us also remember that infrastructure is only as good as how we maintain and utilise it. I, urge, all road users to adhere to traffic rules, drive responsibly and take pride in this and other national assets across our country. I challenge us to protect all our vital infrastructure from vandalism so that it serves our people for generations to come.
In conclusion, let me reaffirm that the Second Republic recognises that infrastructure is the foundation upon which our economy is built, modernised and industrialised. Today, we celebrate the transformative power of infrastructure development.
I call upon other sectors of the economy; to take a leaf from the integrated infrastructure planning, we have seen during this project. Through this approach, more sectors of our economy should experience accelerated economic growth, which is beneficial for all the citizens of our great motherland.
Congratulations Zimbabwe, on the completion of this project. May this structure stand as a towering example of what is possible, when we are united, focused, innovative and hardworking.
With these remarks, it is now my honour and privilege to declare this Trabablas Interchange, officially open.
God bless you all.
God bless Zimbabwe.
I thank you.
