shloboe boe
Zvamaida Murwira, Harare Bureau
GOVERNMENT has successfully implemented 346 signature projects in the last 300 days as the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa makes huge strides towards modernising the country in the line with the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper middle-class income economy by 2030.
Giving an appraisal of the last three 100-day cycle projects in Harare yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said many successes were registered last year in different pillars including infrastructure and utilities, digital economy, food security and nutrition, economic growth and stability, image building engagement and re-engagement.
Other areas include environmental protection, climate resilience and natural resource management, social protection, governance, housing delivery, human capital development and innovation, devolution and decentralisation, and health and well-being, among others.
“I am honoured to address you on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe on the significant strides made towards the betterment of our country by the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Dr ED Mnangagwa,” Dr Muswere said.
“In 2024 alone, three 100-Day cycles and 346 projects were successfully implemented. The chairpersons of NDS1 thematic working groups were requested to submit programmes and projects that they implemented in 2024 and to that effect, 834 were submitted.
“A standardised template was distributed to MDAs (ministries, departments and agencies) to guide selection of projects. In the next few days, I will elaborate on the NDS1 achievements and other programmes. Some of the achievements in the year 2024 include the development of the first Integrated Media and Communications Policy.”
On the infrastructure and utilities pillar, Dr Muswere said in 2024, Government implemented projects that focused on provision of road and aviation networks and utilities such as water and electricity.
They included the expansion and construction of a new VVIP Pavilion at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare, the Dete Community solar project in Matabeleland North province, the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road upgrade, the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road rehabilitation, the repair of 2 000 boreholes across the country and the drilling of 3 528 boreholes under the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme.
Other projects include the Trabablas Interchange construction project, which Dr Muswere described as an engineering marvel, the Harare-Kanyemba Road construction, the Great Zimbabwe 5MW Hydro Power Station in Masvingo, and construction of New Parliament Building access roads in Harare, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland Central provinces.
Under the digital economy pillar, Dr Muswere said the Government invested in expanding ICT infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and supporting technology start-ups.
The start-ups include the Media and Communication Policy, the National E-learning Strategy (computerisation of 1 000 schools to bridge the urban-rural divide), the National ICT policy launch, the Artificial Intelligence Strategy approval, the licensing of Starlink, electronic passports for citizens in Harare, Guruve, Murehwa, Lupane, Beitbridge, Zvishavane, Marondera and Gweru, among others.
On the food security and nutrition pillar, Dr Muswere said many projects including dams were constructed.
“In an effort to combat the effects of El-Nino on citizens, livestock, and crop production, the Government of Zimbabwe employed diverse climate proofing strategies chief among them the Pfumvudza/Intwasa Programme, food distribution, Presidential Livestock and Stock Feed Programme under disaster risk management. These were all launched and implemented,” he said.
Irrigation rehabilitation and accelerated dam construction across the country was done to boost food security.
Dams such as Kunzvi in Mashonaland East, Muchekeranwa Dam on the border of Mashonaland East and Manicaland, Tugwi-Mukosi in Masvingo, Semwa in Mashonaland Central and Lake Gwayi-Tshangani in Matabeleland North have been constructed and some are complete and already transforming lives, while others are over 70 percent complete.
On the economic growth and stability pillar, Dr Muswere said Government initiated many programmes such as the debt and arrears clearance programme, tamed inflation, and introduced a gold-backed currency, among others.
Regarding image building and the engagement and re-engagement programme, Dr Muswere said President Mnangagwa’s administration rehabilitated infrastructure in foreign missions and installed broadcasting infrastructure, which is critical for enhancing Government’s image and improved economic diplomacy. It also hosted the 44th Sadc Summit in August and the SADC Extraordinary Summit in November.
On the social protection pillar, Dr Muswere said the Government focused on the protection of individuals and communities from poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion.
“It also implemented programmes that promoted social justice, human rights and economic security, especially for the marginalised and vulnerable population,” he said.
On governance, there was the construction of magistrate courts, and the implementation and operationalisation of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System, among others.
On housing delivery, the Government constructed affordable and decent houses in many towns for its workers.
In terms of human capital development and innovation, learners were prepared to become socially and economically empowered through quality and innovation education.
On youth, sports and culture emphasis was on fighting socio-economic ills that include drug and substance abuse as well as unemployment.
A lot was also done on health and well-being last year including emphasising on improved high-quality care that is affordable and accessible.
“All these initiatives are as a result of the selfless steward leadership of His Excellency, President ED Mnangagwa.
“As we move into 2025, the nation will be guided by NDS2, which is set to propel economic growth and prosperity through technological advancement,” Dr Muswere said.
Siphakeme .Mnindwa
