By Grace Chekai

The Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Bulawayo Province, Honourable Judith Ncube has said that COVID-19 has impeded Government’s efforts to resuscitate the economy for the former industrial hub.

Speaking at the Bulawayo engagement meeting with stakeholders, Minister Ncube said that recapitalisation of the country’s rail had been shelved for too long and the pandemic has further delayed the exercise.

“The recapitalisation of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has been on the cards for a long time. The railway network system needs fundamental and extensive rehabilitation, since it will be difficult to industrialise the economy without completing the railway system.

“The railway system is used for the movement of goods, raw materials as well as cheaper transportation of people, and COVID-19 has negatively affected the recapitalisation of industries in Bulawayo province.”

Minister Ncube, therefore urged the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to prioritise the revival of NRZ saying that other than direct employment opportunities offered by the NRZ, it also provides a multiplier effect in both the local and national industries.

She appealed to the Ministry of Finance not to tire in efforts towards the recapitalisation of the Cold Storage Company (C.S.C) saying that it will help in resuscitation the leather industry also.

The Minister said, Bulawayo and the nation as a whole are facing multi-faceted challenges not only in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the recent droughts and macro-economic challenges on the currency stabilization front.

According to a mini survey by the Confederations of Zimbabwe`s Industries (CZI) last month, the local manufacturing sector had suffered a staggering 46 percent disruptions in supply chains due to the ravaging global health pandemic, COVID-19.

Many countries have since resorted to a total shutdown of businesses so as to stop the spread of this highly contagious invisible enemy.