GLOBAL Renaissance Investments (GRI), a company that brings together local and international investments, has described the recent re-election of President Emmerson Mnangagwa as a good omen for infrastructure development in Zimbabwe.
Mnangagwa was re-elected for his second and final five-year term, after garnering 52,6 percent of the total votes cast, according to the results announced by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) chairperson Priscilla Chigumba late Saturday.
During his first term in office, Mnangagwa spearheaded a massive reconstruction and rehabilitation of major road networks, mostly using locally mobilised resources in order to enhance domestic and regional connectivity and spur economic growth.
GRI chief executive officer Ngonidashe Dzirutwe is optimistic that the government, which also accelerated the construction of 12 large dams during Mnangagwa’s first term, would intensify infrastructure development over the next five years.
“His (Mnangagwa) win means more infrastructural development for our mother land as already witnessed by the successful completion of the new Parliament, world class Beitbridge Border Post and the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
“There is no doubt that the infrastructural investment will boom under the leadership of President Mnangagwa under the mantra ‘Leaving no one and no place behind,’” said Dzirutwe.
The GRI chief executive officer added that various infrastructure developments of international standards would be implemented during the lifespan of the Cabinet to be appointed by Mnangagwa soon. “We are receiving international tourism investors who will build various infrastructure in the sector and key areas of focus being Victoria Falls and Kariba,” he said.
Dzirutwe added that infrastructure development would be one of the key enablers of Vision 2030. “Infrastructure growth is tantamount to economic growth as it is the asset the economy sweats to achieve productivity and trade easily. A good illustration is China.
Why is it booming? Because they have good infrastructure which will enable economic productivity and trade. “Therefore, under the Second Republic Vision 2030 shall be achievable through the sound investment in infrastructure projects. Thus energy challenges shall be a thing of the past as well… “There will also be a reduction of the housing waiting lists while modern dual roads will be built to reduce congestion on the roads,” said the GRI chief executive officer.
Last year, Dzirutwe’s organisation hosted the Zimbabwe Infrastructure Investment Summit in Victoria Falls which brought together leading local and international investors.