Byo Scores Big On Development Projects

National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student accommodation complex that cost US$17 million -(file picture)

Prosper Ndlovu and Peter Matika

BULAWAYO province has scored big in terms of development in the last five years after completing 163 signature projects out of 230 as of December 2022 with the Second Republic committing to further accelerate the modernisation of the city. In line with President Mnangagwa’s drive to ensure equitable development across the country, the City of Kings is receiving increased Government attention, and has benefiting more from different policy support measures. This has seen the Government facilitating enhanced industrialisation support in the city, entrepreneurship, research and development, key infrastructure development, as well as attending to pressing service delivery issues, among others, thereby building momentum towards an upper middle-income economy vision by 2030. Since 2018, the Government has implemented 230 development projects across different sectors in Bulawayo of which 163 have been completed with the remainder at different stages and set to be completed under this year’s second 100-Day Cycle initiative. According to a detailed report from the Office of the President and Cabinet, the outstanding projects were hindered by the adverse effects of Covid-19, but are still underway and set for completion in the short to medium term. However, those that have been completed have rejuvenated the second largest city’s economy through industry revival, increased business activity involving the unlocking of the vast potential of small to medium enterprises (SMES) sector, employment creation and infrastructure development. Among the top projects that have been completed in construction of US$17 million National University of Science and Technology (Nust) student accommodation complex, which is now awaiting official commissioning. With capacity to accommodate 1 032 students, the project will go a long way towards addressing shortage of accommodation at the giant institutions with a ratio of 60 percent for the girl child who is more vulnerable to abuse and 40 percent for the boy child. ReadMore