THE questions that have been thrown around over the Government’s capacity to turn around the economy are slowly being answered. The first step is the dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge Road.
For a long time when the Zimbabwe’s economy has been crippled by the devastating effects of the illegal economic sanctions, sponsored by the West, everyone was looking for relief.
The respite is upon us if information filtering through to The Patriot is anything to go by.
Amid all the preparations for the anticipated take off, there have been a feeling of doubt, born out of the nonperformance of this economy through outright mischief by opponents of President Robert Mugabe’s Government.
Mhosva Marasha aka Biggie Tembo, that late great musician had a song that aptly captures the mood of resignation and doubt currently suffusing the country.
In the song Kutambura, Tembo is angry why people are not joining in singing the song of joy that everyone was humming.
“Hamudi sei kushaura rwiyo kushaura rwiyo hamudi sei?
“Hoo hamudi sei kushaura rwiyo kushaura rwiyo hamudi sei?” (Why can’t you join me in singing this great song?)
The song Zimbabwe is about to sing is a song of joy, a song of plenty, a song of hope and promise.
“Ndinoona matiri mune kukahadzika, kurwadziwazve kochiiko? (I can see shock and surprise in us, but why this pain and despair?) Leonard Zhakata asks.
Last Friday, the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development set the tone for the rebirth of the economy when it invited interested engineering firms to submit their bids for the dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge Road.
This road is crucial to Zimbabwe in many ways.
It is the link between Zimbabwe and many countries in the Southern African region.
Expected to cost well over US$4 billion, it will also create more than 10 000 jobs. The services include a full preliminary design for the dualisation of the road including all bridges and drainage structures, covering technical, economic and social issues.
It is the terms of reference for the project that reveal its seriousness and impact on the lives of people in particular and the economy in general.
The terms include provision of the preliminary and detailed engineering design of Harare-Masvingo- Beitbridge dualisation.
It has been segmented into four sections which are Harare to Chivhu which covers 120 kilometres, Chivhu to Masvingo (147 km), Masvingo to Rutenga covering 147 kilometres, and Rutenga to Beitbridge which covers 135 kilometres.
“The Department of Roads now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing the above services,” reads the tender document in part.
“Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services by indicating the similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff using standard forms provided in the pre-qualification document.
“Consultants should constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.”
Most critically though for the dualisation of this road, is that it has generated a lot of interest mainly from Chinese firms.
China has been instrumental in assisting Zimbabwe to facilitate its economic development.
Hardly 24 hours after the announcement of the Harare-Beitbridge Road dualisation, there is more good news.
China has put an ‘unlimited financing cap’ on mega economic deals with Zimbabwe, the country’s leading weekly, The Sunday Mail reported this week.
The Asian economic powerhouse has availed a blank cheque for Harare to revive its economy and there are no stringent conditions to the multi-billion dollar agreements between the two nations.
A framework for China to recoup the money is already in place with some funds for some projects said to be on their way to Harare.
It has been a long and painful wait for Zimbabwe.
We can exclusively tell the nation that implementation of these deals is going to happen in the shortest possible time.
By December this year we will be witnessing the commissioning of some of these projects.
Merry Christmas in advance to Zimbabweans!
Let those with ears listen.