Rural Communities Tend To Have Deficits In Infrastructure Provision-Mhona

By Senior Post Reporter

Bulawayo- Rural communities tend to have deficits in infrastructure provision leading to higher poverty rates.

The deficits in these areas are multifaceted, often rooted in the geographical vastness and lower population densities of rural regions.

This makes the cost-per-use of infrastructure development significantly higher than in urban areas, frequently leading to under investment.

Transport and Infrastructural Development, Minister Felix Mhona said this on Wednesday while officiating at the 3^rd edition of the Built Environment Conference and Expo held at Zimbabwe International Conference and Exhibition Smart City (ZICES).

This year`s event ran under the theme, “Smart Moves: Powering Zimbabwe’s Infrastructure Evolution”.

The event was co-organised by Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.

AfriConfex will bring together stakeholders from across the built environment value chain including architects, engineers, urban planners, policymakers, investors, and development partners.

In line with the sustainable development goals, the theme is leaving no one in no place behind. It is also important that we plan to consider the different requirements for our diverse communities.

“Often rural communities tend to have deficits in infrastructure provisions leading to higher poverty rates.

“The deficits in these areas are multifaceted, often rooted in the geographical vastness and lower population densities of rural regions. This makes the cost per use of infrastructure development significantly higher than in urban areas, frequently leading to underinvestment,” said Minister Mhona.

In recognition of this, the minister said, it was vital for government to leverage on technology and innovation to offer cost-effective solutions to rural infrastructure challenges.

“Off grid solutions in energy, water and sanitation have proven to be significant in improving quality of life, reducing poverty, and promote sustainable development in previously marginalised areas,” said Mhona.

The Minister also noted that that infrastructure alone is not a panacea to economic development, adding that it should be accompanied by macroeconomic stability necessary for economic recovery.

“Indeed, infrastructure should be accompanied by macroeconomic stability, which is a necessity for economic recovery and growth conferring new opportunities for wealth creation, innovation and enterprise development under the National Development Strategy(NDS1).

“Government has made considerable progress in fostering domestic macroeconomic stability by implementing a broad range of fiscal and monetary stabilization measures.
and we must commend the Second Republic,” said minister Mhona.

Turning to aviation sector, the minister said, government has embarked on an ambitious programme to rehabilitate and modernize airports to enhance air transport infrastructure, boost tourism, and attract investments.

“Government has embarked on an ambitious programme to rehabilitate and modernize airports to enhance air transport infrastructure, boost tourism, and attract investments.

“The ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of the airport infrastructure has already gone a long way in improving the country`s international image, as well as attracting new airlines.

“The recently refurbished and modern Robert Mugabe International Airport will be re-purposed to focus primarily on handling domestic air traffic, streamlining operations and optimizing capacity,” minister Mhona said.

He highlighted that given the pressing need for increased passenger handling capacity, the flagship projects targeted under this initiative include the extensive upgrading and expansion of Charles Prince Airport, the construction of a new Mutare International Airport, and the further development of Kariba International Airport.

“Charles Prince Airport is going to be an international airport. We are going to have one of our biggest airports at Charles Prince.

“I am grateful again, land has been availed through government to us through the Airports Company of Zimbabwe to expand, and we were there together with the Minister of Lands. We are ensuring that the project will start soon. We are currently busy with feasibility studies, and we will be having three or four runways to complement the magnitude of this landmark project, ”Mhona told the delegates.

Beyond aviation, the minister explained that government’s strategic focus is firmly fixed on enhancing regional connectivity through the systematic upscaling of road and rail links to neighbouring countries.

“Zimbabwe is decisively transforming from a landlocked nation into a land-linked regional hub as we unlock new trade and economic opportunities.

“Our concerted efforts in upgrading road infrastructure are now visibly manifesting through the strategic road corridors approach, with the North-South Corridor, the Beira Development Corridor, and the Limpopo Corridors being the anchor of connectivity as a transit nation.

“Our unique geographical location positions Zimbabwe as a critical link between major markets, facilitating the seamless movement of goods and services. Zimbabwe’s role in regional trade and economic integration is therefore absolutely critical,” Mhona explained.

The Minister further stressed the importance of capitalizing on the opportunities presented by this unique geographical positioning to attract both domestic and foreign investment.

“The upgrading of road infrastructure is one of the key initiatives the government has implemented to reduce transit times and improve logistics.

“This is being robustly complemented by the concurrent upgrading of the country’s key border posts and streamlining our customs procedures, thus fostering a more favourable business environment and overall increasing the efficiency of the entire transport network.

“In line with this integrated vision, the Ministry is targeting the following major projects in the immediate term, the completion of the Upgrading of Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare-Chirundu Road, the Christmas Pass bypass of 31.2km, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road Project, the modernization of Chirundu Border Post, the upgrade of Forbes Border Post, and the construction of four new Interchanges, among other vital projects,” Mhona said.