NKULUMANE MP Desire Moyo has made a impassioned appeal to Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion minister Mthuli Ncube to fund critical projects in the Matabeleland region that have been in the pipeline for years.
Moyo was referring to the Bulawayo Zambezi Water Project, Nkayi-Bulawayo and Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads which are in a very bad condition.
The three projects have been on the cards for years.
A number of other projects have either stalled or been abandoned altogether.
“The Minister of Finance must assist me so that I do not die before seeing that the Bulawayo Zambezi Water Project is completed,” Moyo said.
“Secondly, I must not die before the Nkayi-Tsholotsho-Rupisa Road is finished before the end of this year.”
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The Zambezi Water Project was first mooted in 1912 by the Rhodesian government.
It involves the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam.
The Gwayi-Shangani project, to pipe water from the mighty Zambezi River over 400km away, is seen as a long-lasting solution to Bulawayo’s water woes.
However, it is behind schedule, having missed deadlines since construction began way back in 2004.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa initially promised to ensure the completion of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam ahead of the August 2023 elections.
The deadline was moved to December this year and later to 2026.
The Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, whose construction began in 1993 and was supposed to be completed by 2009, is in a sorry state and the same reads for the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho strip road.
Less than 50km of the nearly 170km Bulawayo-Nkayi road has been widened and resurfaced.
Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru once blamed hunger for government’s failure to finish constructing the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, saying billions meant for the project were diverted to feed hungry Zimbabweans.
Zanu PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu told State media that the construction of the roads were affected by sanctions as partners pulled out before the work was complete.
Critics, however, argue the government has never been serious about the completion of the project.