by Bernard Mutambudzi

Effective and improved infrastructure is the cornerstone of development, a senior Government official has said.

Speaking at the swearing in ceremony of the newly appointed cabinet ministers held today at State House, Minister of Local Government Public Works and National Housing, Cde July Moyo said his mandate was to see local authorities that put service delivery at the forefront.

"My Ministry will make sure that local authorities deliver quality services to the paying public, gone are the days when authorities sought to enrich themselves at the expense of ratepayers," said the Minister.

He said meaningful infrastructure which was modern could help attract investment. He said the country was capable of achieving that since there was abundant human capital which was well educated.

“The traffic congestion we see today should be overcome as it is resulting in the loss of productive time," said the Minister who added that congestion would also have a detrimental impact on the nation's economic activity as people would be late to work or meetings.

"Government will spend much more on infrastructure as this is the only way to attract more investments," the Minister said.

The Minister said the Government would work with infrastructural banks and other institutions to make sure there was speedy completion of projects. He added that areas in need of adequate capital include huge projects such as road network, housing, transport network (rail and air).

“Rural communities would not be left out as majority of our population which account for above 60 percent need important social services infrastructure," said the Minister

The Government is cognisant of the fact that key social services such as adequate health facilities, schools, clean water and roads are key enablers for development.

He said the Zanu PF-led Government which had two thirds majority in Parliament would endeavor to focus on enacting laws that were beneficial to the people of Zimbabwe.

The Minister said there was abundant of skilled manpower in areas of engineering, architecture and good planners.

"There is no way the country can have haphazard settlements within our midst, correct things have to be done beginning with us," said the Minister

He said he could not afford to have the future generations blaming today’s generation for the mess. "We have to make painful decisions that ultimately make a better Zimbabwe,"

He said no one would want a situation where settlements just mushroom without proper planning. He added that the mushishika have become a menace in most urban areas.