Budget prioritises Matabeleland infrastructure projects

Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor

INFRASTRUCTURE development projects in the Matabeleland region have been prioritised for funding in the 2025 budget that was presented by Finance, Economic and Investment Promotion Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube on Thursday.

Signature projects such as Lake Gwayi-Tshangani which is expected to be the panacea to Bulawayo and the region’s perennial water challenges, Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road, Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road and the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport are part of the budget allocation priority areas from the region.

In Bulawayo areas of investment include improvements in water and sanitation services, road maintenance and the development of recreational facilities.

The budget emphasises economic growth and service delivery and designated a notable portion of funds specifically for Bulawayo and its provincial council to play a pivotal role in transforming the city’s infrastructure and enhancing the quality of life for the residents.

Prof Ncube emphasised the completion of key water projects like Lake Gwayi-Tshangani and its pipeline.

The minister allocated ZiG700 million for the completion of the lake and ZiG282 million for the Gwayi-Tshangani pipeline.

“In line with the Public Sector Investment Plan, the 2025 National Budget will prioritise dams nearing completion, such as Gwayi-Tshangani and Kunzvi and will encompass conveyancing infrastructure development to the respective cities of Bulawayo and Harare which continue to face water supply challenges. Preparatory works for phase two of Kunzvi Dam encompassing the construction of Musami Dam will also commence,” said the minister.

As part of the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers, Prof Ncube also set aside ZiG72,9 million to the Bulawayo Provincial Council and ZiG145,6 million to the City of Bulawayo.

“Through the 2025 National Budget, resources amounting to ZiG13,6 billion have been set aside in fulfilment of Section 301 (3) of the Constitution, which stipulates that not less than five percent of the national revenues raised in any financial year must be allocated to the Provinces and Local Authorities in a particular financial year, under the Inter-Governmental Fiscal Transfers.

“It is, therefore, important that during project and programme implementation, the benefiting tiers of Government cautiously deploy resources towards interventions which are fully backed by detailed implementation and cash flow plans to assist in resource allocation, disbursement and implementation thereof. This will enhance the effectiveness of the resources for economic growth and transformation in lower tiers of Government,” said Prof Ncube.

Bulawayo will also benefit immensely from a number of major road rehabilitation projects which the Government aims to do next year, with Prof Ncube allocating a significant portion under the Emergence Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP).

Priority road projects that have been set for next year include; Bulawayo-Nkayi Road (50km road construction), Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road (construction of 40km), Bulawayo’s Cecil Avenue Road (rehabilitation of 6,2km) and Bulawayo’s Jacaranda Road (rehabilitation of 6km).

“Following the Cabinet’s approval of the PPPs for the implementation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and the Harare-Nyamapanda, focus during 2025 will be on reaching financial closure for the two projects to enable the commencement of works.

“Feeder roads are a critical component of Government’s rural industrialisation and development. In this regard, the capacitation of RIDA through a US$75 million loan facility will enable the aggressive rehabilitation and upgrading of the rural road infrastructure, including the opening up of new arteries in the under-serviced areas and other centres of economic activity. The equipment financed through the facility is being delivered,” said Prof Ncube.

Bulawayo’s Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport has also been earmarked as part of the airports where preparatory work for their upgrading to handle wide-bodied and larger aircrafts, as well as construction of the control tower will be done.

These will also include Buffalo Range, Kariba and Hwange airports.

“The 2025 National Budget has therefore, provided ZiG172 million which will be supplemented by additional resources from the Airports Company of Zimbabwe and asset recycling, among others,” said Prof Ncube.

Commenting on the budget projections, Matabeleland North Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo commended Prof Ncube for what he termed was a clearly spelt out budget.

“As Matabeleland North we are quite happy with the Minister’s clear budget as it spells out all priority projects to be embarked on, with some of these projects being the Lake Gwayi-Tshangani which will go a long way in developing our province.

“However, now that the budget has been presented, what is important going forward is the actual fulfilment through the necessary disbursements. Let this budget not end in the presentation by the Minister but become a reality through the disbursement which will make all these projects a reality,” said Minister Moyo.

Bulawayo United Residents Association chairperson, Mr Winos Dube said it was their hope that key projects such as the Lake Gwayi-Tshangani and pipeline could finally come to fruition with the allocated funds.

“It is pleasing that the minister has seen it fit to allocate funds for the Lake Gwayi-Tshangani and pipeline as it is no secret that Bulawayo needs a solution to the perennial water crisis as of yesterday and that project is the long term solution to this situation,” said Mr Dube.

Independent economic analyst and National University of Science and Technology lecturer, Mr Stevenson Dlamini said the budget clearly spelt out the Government’s developmental agenda.

“A National Budget statement must reflect the priorities of a Government and in this case the allocation of funds towards dam construction and completion reflects the sensitivity of the Government to the socio-economic well-being of its’ citizens. The urban communities are in dire need of water. This allocation is indicative of a gender sensitive budget that appreciates how water availability is closely linked to SDGs especially 1,3 and 5.

“Road network is critical for the efficient running of commerce and industry. On this note the Government’s prioritisation of road infrastructure development through PPPs shows policy consistency in terms of attracting investors, both local and foreign, into Matabeleland North and South. This will support the initiative of increasing rural industrialisation in the provinces,” said Mr Dlamini.

Lupane State University (LSU) institutional business analyst Dr Shynet Chivasa commended the 2025 strategic priority areas outlined in the 2025 National Budget. 

“Some of the priority areas include key infrastructure such as roads upgrading and rehabilitation programme which is very critical. The Budget states that a total of ZiG27,5 billion will be availed towards the planned ongoing roads projects and this a welcome development. If road infrastructure network is modernised we are able to attract more investment,” she said. 

Commenting on the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport upgrade, Dr Chivasa said this will make it a world-class facility that plays a vital role in the tourism sector boosting arrivals. 

Bulawayo Chamber of Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) vice-chairperson, Ms Sithabile Bhebhe also commended water and sanitation projects outlined in the 2025 National Budget. 

“As the Budget has stated with regards to dams, the Government will support and channel funds towards implemention of Lake Gwayi-Tshangani Dam, this is important for Bulawayo. The dam is now at 50 percent, but once completed it will do a long way to alleviate the water crisis we are faced with as a city,” she said. 

She said the dam also had low-hanging fruits such as water to be channelled to agriculture sector among others.