Government has expressed satisfaction with progress being made on key developmental projects in Masvingo Province, while urging contractors and implementing agencies to address outstanding challenges and ensure timely completion.
Head of National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Ms Fananai Madambi, accompanied by Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira, assessed the implementation of several projects across the province, on Wednesday, as part of Government’s ongoing monitoring and evaluation programme.
The delegation began its tour along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, where contractors provided updates on outstanding works aimed at improving the strategic trade corridor.
Exodus Construction Project Manager, Engineer Ginny Muchenje, said construction of the final 500 metres of the Runde Bridge approaches was expected to be completed within three weeks.
“We have so far opened about 98 kilometres to traffic,” he said.
On another section of the highway, Masimba Construction Resident Engineer, Kudakwashe Dzimati, said 92 kilometres had been opened to traffic, with works under Phase Four targeted for completion by December.
While acknowledging the progress, Minister Chadzamira challenged contractors working on the highway to accelerate outstanding works, saying timely completion was critical to improving transportation and trade along the corridor.
The delegation then visited the Chivi Vocational Training Centre, which is expected to be completed next month. The facility, the first of its kind in the district, is expected to provide young people with practical vocational skills and improve their employment prospects.
The centre is also being viewed as an important intervention in addressing drug and substance abuse among youths by providing them with productive skills and opportunities.
Residents welcomed the project, saying its completion would reduce the need for young people to travel long distances to access vocational training.
At the Great Zimbabwe Innovation Centre for Dryland Agriculture (ICEDA), officials noted significant progress in the construction of research laboratories and an administration block, which are nearing completion.
The centre is designed to integrate agricultural research, production, processing and marketing, with the potential to support innovation and improve productivity in dryland farming.
The monitoring team also visited Empress Mine, where gold production has increased, with the mine targeting monthly output of at least 60 kilogrammes.
Empress Mine Manager, Richman Zvabvirepi, attributed the increase partly to expanded underground mining, which he said was improving production while reducing environmental damage.
“We are pleased with our current production levels, but our goal is to keep increasing production,” he said.
Minister Chadzamira described the projects as “life changing”, noting that the vocational centre would equip youths with skills while increased gold production would contribute to the economy.
Madambi said Government would engage relevant ministries to address challenges identified during the monitoring exercise.
“We have seen the projects and we have heard the challenges. Now we will take up the matter with the relevant ministries so that action is taken to see the completion of the projects,” she said.
Government said monitoring and evaluation visits would continue countrywide, with findings being used to guide interventions and accelerate the completion of development projects.
