Story by Godfrey M Bonda
RUWA — Harare Metropolitan Province has called for accelerated implementation of service delivery and infrastructure projects as Government and stakeholders take stock of progress made during the third quarter of the year and align provincial priorities with the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030.
Addressing the 3rd Quarter Provincial Development Committee Meeting in Ruwa, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Harare Metropolitan Province, Hon. Senator Charles Tawengwa, said the province could no longer afford delays in addressing pressing service delivery challenges, particularly in waste management, water and sanitation.
Minister Tawengwa commended the Ruwa Local Board for its efforts, but said expectations around service delivery required concrete action.
“The expectations of service delivery need action, especially waste management, water, sanitation and so on,” he said.
He said infrastructure planning and development remained central to the province’s development agenda, pointing to ongoing projects such as the Mabvuku-Tafara Interchange along the Mutare corridor as part of efforts to improve connectivity and support economic activity.
With the rainy season approaching, Minister Tawengwa called for urgent attention to drainage systems to minimise the impact of heavy rains.
“The rain season will be upon us shortly. We wish to see the drains being cleared,” he said.
Water and sanitation also emerged as key priorities, with the Minister stressing that every household, clinic and school should have access to safe water systems in line with NDS2.
He said sewer rehabilitation was equally critical, particularly because failing sewer systems posed a direct threat to public health through the spread of diseases.
The Minister also challenged local authorities to create a conducive operating environment for small and medium enterprises and informal traders, saying the province’s development agenda must accommodate the livelihoods of communities.
“Our local authorities must be provided with a safe environment for SMEs and trading vendors,” he said.
As Harare continues to position itself as an investment and commercial hub, Minister Tawengwa said the province was also preparing for major regional events, including the Intra-African Trade Fair in 2029, where Harare is expected to play a central role.
“Let us use this third quarter session for acceleration in line with Vision 2030,” he said.
He added that the National Sports Stadium was expected to host sporting activities while also contributing to the country’s tourism offering, highlighting the importance of developing infrastructure that serves multiple economic and social purposes.
Minister Tawengwa said Harare’s ability to attract investors must be matched by adequate infrastructure and effective local authority systems.
He also revealed plans for the development of a modern working environment in Glen View 8, while stressing the need for the province to prepare early for major regional engagements.
Permanent Secretary in the Minister’s Office, Dr Mushamba, said the meeting provided an opportunity for the province to critically assess its third-quarter performance and identify areas where implementation had fallen short.
“We gathered to take stock of our third quarter. We are here to account where we have fallen short as Harare Province in terms of service delivery,” Dr Mushamba said.
She called for the PDC agenda to be strengthened through a more focused approach to implementation, monitoring and accountability.
“Reinforce and reshape the agenda of the PDC,” she said.
Dr Mushamba said preparations for the Intra-African Trade Fair were now receiving serious attention at Cabinet level, with Harare Metropolitan Province having been given the mandate to host the event.
She said the province would need to demonstrate the same level of preparedness displayed when Zimbabwe hosted major regional engagements such as the SADC Summit.
“We have been given the mandate to host COMESA and this province is going to host the event,” she said, stressing that preparations must be aligned with NDS2.
Waste management remained a major concern, with Dr Mushamba urging stakeholders to maintain vigilance and strengthen interventions across the province.
She also called for increased attention to the Provincial Heroes Acre, while identifying resource mobilisation as one of the major challenges affecting implementation of provincial programmes.
On infrastructure monitoring, she said the Glen View Area 8 facility, which had already been constructed, would require rebuilding, underscoring the need for proper planning, maintenance and monitoring of public infrastructure.
Dr Mushamba urged stakeholders to treat resolutions adopted at the meeting with urgency rather than allowing them to remain recommendations without implementation.
“The resolutions noted today must be treated with urgency and seriousness,” she said.
She further called for open identification of challenges facing communities and the development of practical interventions capable of producing measurable improvements in people’s lives.
“Let us openly identify challenges and practical interventions for our people. Crafting and implementing is crucial,” she said.
The meeting also congratulated two members of the Harare Metropolitan Province who have since been appointed to the Senate, as the province continues to strengthen its representation within national institutions.
The third-quarter review ultimately placed service delivery, infrastructure development, investment attraction and preparations for major regional engagements at the centre of Harare Metropolitan Province’s development agenda, with officials emphasising that the remaining period must be used to convert plans and resolutions into tangible results.
