Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE second edition of the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF) Infrastructure Summit has kicked off in Victoria Falls with discussions focusing on strategies to close infrastructure gaps in pursuit of Vision 2030.
The two-day summit is being hosted by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in conjunction with the National Economic Consultative Forum (NECF).
Government and the NECF are in agreement on the need to prioritise infrastructure development as a key pillar for economic development.
“The NDS1 underpins infrastructure development as key in economic development hence there is a need to enhance railway, road and air infrastructure as enunciated in the blueprint enhanced. The railway network is deteriorating because of overuse by cargo so we need to interrogate intervention so that NRZ resumes its role as bulk transporter,” said Deputy Chief Secretary for Policy Analysis Coordination and Development Planning, Mr Willard Manungo.
“We want to seek ways to attract funding for the road, railway and air infrastructure since they are key in economic development. We will also celebrate funding models such as the one used on the Plumtree to Mutare and see how best can they be replicated elsewhere in the country. We will also look at what funding models other countries are using and see if they can be adopted in Zimbabwe. The outcome of the summit will also be inputted in the crafting of the National Development Strategy 2,” noted Mr Muzi Muzite, NECF Acting Executive Secretary.
Other stakeholders are taking the summit as an opportunity to exchange ideas.
“This summit is crucial to us as we share information as we endeavour to reconstruct more roads, dams, rails etc. The importance of this summit is to hear where the industry is going and how other players are tackling different challenges facing the construction industry,” Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association President, Mr Petros Kagwere.
National Railways of ZimbabweGeneral Manager, Ms Respinah Zinyanduko weighed in saying, “This platform will assist NRZ to tell its story to all stakeholders to understand the importance of rail to the economy. We are also taking this opportunity to invite the private sector to come and join NRZ in the recapitalisation of the rail giant through Private Public Partnership.”
Government has made significant strides in developing and financing infrastructure development as the nation seeks to deliver on National Development Strategy One objectives in line with the objectives of Vision 2030.