THERE is a need to start designing and building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather events, which are increasing in frequency and intensity due to global warming and climate change, a Cabinet minister has said.
Transport and Infrastructure Development minister Felix Mhona, said this in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy Mike Madiro during the official opening of the inaugural Africa Infrastructure and Built Environment and Expo (AfriConfex), which the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Company organised in partnership with the ministry of Transport & Infrastructure Development.
The expo, which specifically targets buyers and sellers within the built environment value chain, provides a platform for sharing local and regional experiences, technical knowledge and discussion of crosscutting challenges, opportunities and learnings with a view of drawing up actionable resolutions to achieve industry and economic growth.
It is running under the theme “Solid Foundation. Stronger Future – Exploring Linkages in the Infrastructure Value Chain.” “With global climate change and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, there is an urgent need to climate proof infrastructure investment,” said Mhona.
He said the devastating cyclones which have repeatedly caused massive destruction of critical infrastructure in some parts of the country were proof that all infrastructure projects should now be climate resilient. — New Ziana