Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Nqobile Bhebhe in Victoria Falls
VICE-President Dr Constantino Chiwenga has implored the Southern African Development Community (SADC) construction sector to forge a unified bloc, as it is a valuable panacea for unlocking collective potential to transform the region into a vibrant and sustainable industrial hub.
With a solid infrastructure development agenda, unity enables the regional bloc to speak with one voice, share ideas, share resources and leverage its collective expertise for sustainable growth and development of the industry.
Delivering a keynote address at the inaugural Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association summit in Victoria Falls yesterday, Dr Chiwenga stressed the importance of the construction sector in stimulating economic growth and empowering communities.
“The construction industry stands as one of the key underpinning enablers for the full realisation of the SADC Industrialisation Agenda, which will transform the region into a vibrant and sustainable industrial hub.
“There is no substitute for the unification of the region’s construction industry. Unification is a valuable panacea for unlocking our collective potential and it reinforces the empowerment of our SADC community,” said VP Chiwenga.
The summit was held under the theme, “Leveraging Investment in Infrastructure as a Catalyst for Economic Growth”. The objectives of the summit included building collaborative networks, creating a dynamic network of regional industry players, and encouraging synergies that drive sector advancement. Unlocking regional potential through exploring emerging opportunities within the regional construction landscape, with a focus on innovative solutions to common challenges, was also key.
He said the inaugural regional summit, attended by representatives from South Africa and Zambia, marked a significant step towards unifying the construction industry within the country and the region.
“This unity enables us to speak with one voice, share ideas, share resources, and leverage our collective expertise for sustainable growth and development of the industry,” he noted.
Dr Chiwenga further told delegates that an integrated construction industry will enable the region to address the infrastructure deficit that was deliberately left by former colonisers, which remains one of the major hindrances to the region’s economic growth.
“Collaboration and working together is key to the development of world-class infrastructure that supports industrial development, trade, and economic integration. Moreover, a strong construction industry will stimulate great innovations, stimulate local economies, and improve the living standards for millions of people across the entire SADC region.”
He called for greater co-operation and synergies in construction within the SADC region and within Zimbabwe, noting that no industrialisation or economic development can be attained without the construction industry.
Reflecting on the theme, Dr Chiwenga said it perfectly dovetails with the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap on Agenda 2015-2065 and Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030 of becoming an upper-middle-income economy by 2030.
“It is without doubt that the construction industry plays a critical role in the realisation of the SADC construction, infrastructure, and economic development aspirations. As Zimbabwe, we are aware that strong bonds in construction are built by the mantra, ‘Brick upon Brick’, and such synergies should define and strengthen the region’s unison, particularly within the construction industry,” he told delegates.
The Vice-President further noted that the world is witnessing unprecedented growth in technological innovation, and it is imperative that the SADC region and Zimbabwe as a country should elevate themselves to the requisite level of competitiveness. Therefore, he said the business-as-usual approach is no longer an option, and regional member states must diversify and upgrade strategies to harness the power of technology. He emphasised the need to foster a culture of innovation, risk-taking, and creativity.
He said the Government, under the leadership of President Mnangagwa, has introduced the Education 5.0 model, which is focused on building a culture of innovation and industrialisation from the school level.
“We must recognise that the global market is increasingly driven by technology, and to compete, we must be at the forefront of this revolution by advancing cutting-edge technologies. By leveraging these technologies, we can create new industries, jobs, and opportunities for economic growth.”
He told delegates that industrialisation has been at the centre of SADC regional development since the 34th SADC Summit, which was held in Victoria Falls in August 2014. The summit led to the adoption of the SADC Industrialisation Strategy and Roadmap 2015-2063, which is an inclusive long-term plan for modernisation and economic transformation.
“The expertise of contractors, engineers, technicians, architects, to name a few, is crucial to the attainment of this goal, and this should enable substantive and sustained economic development to raise the living standards for more than 390 million inhabitants of the region. Zimbabwe has embraced the 2015-2063 Industrialisation Agenda under its mantra of “leaving no place and no person behind”. SADC can propel its own development if member states collaborate to achieve maximum results. With Zimbabwe aboard this train, the initiative is expected to create more job opportunities, especially for the youth, and improve the region’s average unemployment rate, which has fluctuated between 10,2 percent and 11,3 percent in the last decade.”
Dr Chiwenga applauded the Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association for its great resilience and tireless effort, which has seen the country recording significant progress in construction and infrastructure development.
“Chief among these are the upgrade of the Harare-Beitbridge highway, the revamp of the Beitbridge Border Post, Robert Mugabe International Airport and the Victoria Falls Airport, massive dam construction, and the impressive ongoing Mbudzi Interchange project, to mention but a few. I want to applaud both the Government and private constructors for a job well done,” said VP Chiwenga.
