Staff Reporter
Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Permanent Secretary, Mr Nick Mangwana yesterday highlighted that Government successfully implemented 231 projects in 2021 with 147 of them reaching the planned stage and translating to 64 percent success rate.
Writing on his Twitter handle, Mr Mangwana said despite challenges caused by the lockdowns induced by the Covid-19 pandemic, Government managed to register a lot of success stories in the implementation of various projects.
The permanent Secretary revealed that there were 14 projects implemented in the food and national security, infrastructure and utilities (38) moving the economy up the value and structural transformation (17) health and wellbeing (10) social protection (14) environment protection, climate resilience and natural resources management (6) governance (21) housing delivery (15) devolution and decentralisation (7) image building and re-engagement (21) economic growth and stability (26) youth sport and culture (10) and digital economy (12).
The New Dispensation prioritised infrastructure projects in 2021, especially road construction. The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge being the major highlight with at least 300km of the road having been completed while the entire road will be completed next year.
Government also embarked on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 that has seen over US$100 million being spent on roads neglected by the opposition MDC-Alliance local authorities, especially in the urban areas. Several dams countrywide were completed this year while construction of others like the long awaited Kunzvi Dam in Mashonaland East have started. Construction of the dams will go a long way in setting up irrigation schemes especially in areas which receive less rainfall.
On the energy sector, the expansion of the Hwange thermal power station is ongoing and is expected to easy load-shedding once completed. The new parliament Building is expected to be completed next year. The Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport expansion project is progressing smoothly while rehabilitation of other small airports like Buffalo Range have also started. Government also continued with its cash transfers to vulnerable groups while a nationwide free vaccination campaign against the Covid-19 pandemic is ongoing.
The implementation of the devolution agenda began in earnest from the $2.9 million earmarked for the process and has resulted in the construction of various projects at community and local levels.
This farming season Government has distributed inputs to over 2.3 million households as the nation targets another bumper harvest in light of the expected good rains.
