Latwell Nyangu
THE massive facelift of the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport is now 98 percent complete and work is set to be completed this year, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Speaking during the post-Cabinet briefing yesterday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said:
“The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Felix Tapiwa Mhona reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:
- that the repairs and maintenance at the R.G. Mugabe International Airport in Harare is 98% complete and will be completed this year.
- that construction of the 3.8 km for the cycle under the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road Upgrade is complete and opened to traffic.
iii. construction of Mbudzi Interchange, in Harare currently stands at 77% complete. Two bridges at Amalinda road and Harare drive missing link have been completed and opened to traffic; the Masvingo-Glen Norah loop was opened to traffic; 1.6 km road Amalinda Road completed and opened to traffic; and the 750m Harare Drive missing link completed;
- that 10 km surfacing of the 20 km targeted under the Harare-Kanyemba Road upgrading, in Harare and Mashonaland Central Provinces was completed and opened to traffic and construction progress of the other 10 km is above 60%; and
- that 8 km road under the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road Rehabilitation, in Midlands Province was commissioned and opened to traffic.”
Minister Muswere added:
“Cabinet considered and approved the Proposed Public Private Partnership Project between the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and a private company on the Upgrading, Construction and Tolling of the Harare-Nyamapanda Road, and Nyamapanda Border Post as presented byThe Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Honourable Professor Mthuli Ncube.
“Cabinet advises that the joint venture is on the upgrading, construction and tolling of the Harare-Nyamapanda Road, and Nyamapanda Border Post through a build, operate and transfer model.
“In terms of the Agreement, the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), will hold equity in the project and facilitate
the flow of funds between the various stakeholders. The Harare/Nyamapanda Construction SPV, based in Zimbabwe, will be responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the road and border post
infrastructure.
“The increased trade activity will create job opportunities, reduce unemployment rates in the region. Additionally, the upgrade will improve revenue collection for the Government which can be reinvested into local infrastructure and services.”