By Nobleman Runyanga

Government stands ready to work with the players in the construction industry, a Government official has said.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Joel Biggie Matiza said this during the official opening of the inauguaral  BuildExpo Zimbabwe at the Borrowdale Racecourse in Harare this morning.

In a speech which was read on his behalf by the Director for Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evalution in the ministry, Allowance Sango, the minister appreciated the role of exhibitions in the development of infrastructure.

“The BuildExpo Zimbabwe together with its complimentary and associated businesses allies are an integral part of our economy and commerce. For that reason, it is therefore important for my ministry and the country as a wole to be part of this business forum. I cannot over-emphasise the importance of the Zimbabwean construction industry together with peers in the building suppliers and retail sector,” he said.

The minister stressed the key role played by the construction sector in areas such as energy development, infrastructural develpment, job creation and housing among others. He applauded the sector for this contribution to national development.

“As the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, our efforts are designed to work together with your industry to facilitate the delivery of sustainable and relevant infrastructure and services for a sustainable socio-economic prosperity of Zimbabwe at large,” he said.

Departing from the minister’s speech, Sango responded to BuildExpo Zimbabwe Chief Executive Officer, Panashe Maisva who in his address earlier had indicated that his organisation intended to engage Government on matters affecting the construction industry, by indicating that Government had aleady put in place an infrastructure and utilities cluster which would interface with construction industry  stakeholders.

 “You may be aware that Government at its apex decision-making body, the Cabinet formed what is called an infrastructure and utilities cluster whose constituent ministries and organisations include ministries like the Ministry of Local Government, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and all the other infrastructure-related ministries.

“So there is one cluster which this ministry is chairing which has opened its arms to you to come with your ideas for the betterment of your sector,” Sango said.

The creation of the infrastructure and utilities cluster is likely to give the necessary impetus needed in pushing national infrastructure programmes such as the construction of dams and major highways.