Signature projects ignite new year on high note

Blessings Chidakwa-Herald Reporter 

ALL 15 bridges for Mbudzi Interchange in Harare, to be called Trabablas on completion,  are almost complete, as is the temporary Mbare Market that traders will occupy starting February 1, signalling the start of the year on a high note through completion of signature projects. 

Infrastructure development is at the heart of the Second Republic, with several flagship projects completed last year which President Mnangagwa commissioned nationwide. 

The Government yesterday commenced provincial media tours, starting with Harare Metropolitan to have a first-hand feel of life-changing projects that it is undertaking with the private sector.

The provincial tours started at the roundabout connecting the Harare-Bindura Highway and Boulevard Road, the main entrance to Mount Hampden, where Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere led the tour accompanied by Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Charles Tavengwa. 

Among other areas toured are the temporary Mbare Traders Market, one of the Trababalas Interchange bridges, Madokero Creek, Madokero Mall, Dzivaresekwa Flats, Robert Mugabe International Airport and several roads.

Dr Muswere said the provincial tours were a new strategy employed by Government as the media played an important role in terms of nation-building, educating and informing the rest of the nation.

“So the provincial media tours that we are currently undertaking are also part of the new media strategy wherein we interact with all citizens across the country to get to appreciate their thinking and so they can appreciate the impact of several projects that have been undertaken under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” he said.

The tour included several infrastructure projects such as the upgrading of the terminals at Robert Gabriel International Airport from a capacity of 1,5 million passengers yearly to plus 6 million passengers.

It also included several infrastructure projects including bridges, houses and several social activities that are supported by infrastructure                                                 initiatives.

“So, this provincial media tour is there for the year 2025 and will continue. Tomorrow (today) we are going to Mashonaland East and then to all the other provinces. So, this allows the media an opportunity to be able to get to see and appreciate a number of these projects and also to interact with the public as we journey towards an upper middle-income society,” Dr Muswere said.

Speaking on progress at the Trabablas Interchange, Fossils Contracting head of operations Engineer Kudakwashe Maguta said all 15 bridges are now at 97 percent completion. 

“All the 15 bridges are now done up to deck level. 13 bridges completed, 100 percent. The last two bridges are the ones we poured the decks in December, which are bridges one and three. 

“Otherwise, all the bridges are now complete on the interchange. And coming on to the earthworks, we have got a road network of about 21 kilometres. This is now standing at 80 percent complete. The overall progress is 86 percent for the Trabablas Interchange.”

As for the temporary traders’ market at Mbare Musika in Harare, Masimba Holdings said progress now stood at 82 percent with traders set to occupy the market by February 1. 

President Mnangagwa declared a state of disaster for Mbare Traders Market following an inferno that destroyed stalls and wares late last year.

Masimba Holdings chief executive Mr Fungai Matahwa said the temporary market will accommodate 5,000 traders. 

“In terms of progress, we are sitting at 82 percent complete. We will complete it in the third week and officially on February 1 traders will be using the market,” he said.

Construction of the permanent three-storey Mbare Traders Market is now coming to fruition as all modalities are in place.

At least 108 new modern houses and flats are being constructed behind Madokero Shopping Mall as part of efforts to ensure that the Government’s one million housing units are met by year-end.

The Second Republic has delivered 700 000 houses and flats under National Development Strategy 1, more than triple its initial target of 220 000 and is now almost reaching the new one million target.

Speaking during the Harare provincial media tour of Madokero Creek and Madokero Mall, Exodus and Company chief executive Progress Mambo said the mall was financed by the Public Service Pension Fund.

“We are also working with them to do the apartments I mentioned earlier, the 108 flats just behind this shopping mall.

“This mall was officially opened by the President in December 2022 as the first phase, then the second phase was opened in June 2024,” he said.

Twenty-eight families that moved from Budiriro suburb to avoid being flooded out by the Marimba River are now housed at Dzivaresekwa flats. They heaped praise on President Mnangagwa’s administration for honouring his pledge of providing shelter to them.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Cleopatra Mahwa, said initially they had lost hope but were pleasantly surprised when they were offered shelter.

“I am glad that l now have decent accommodation courtesy of the Government. Although l still somehow experience fear when there are heavy rains that I might lose a child again, eventually l feel comforted knowing that l am at a safer place,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Ms Judith Muriyenda, said had it not been for the benevolence of the President, life would have remained tough for her.

“It took President Mnangagwa’s love to rescue us. At first, we thought the Government was just speaking without action. I nearly lost hope but thanks to our President for providing us with shelter,” she said.

Speaking at the roundabout at the intersection of the Harare-Bindura Highway and Boulevard Road, Exodus and Company director (projects) Mr Alex Mashangu said infrastructure development was the new norm.

“This is an exciting period in the nation in terms of infrastructure development, which covers roads, residential, and commercial. We are so excited about what we’ve done here in terms of contributing to the infrastructure around Harare.”