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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
GOVERNMENT has been financing major infrastructure development projects and provide social security nets using the budget surplus as a result of improved economic fundamentals.

From the budget surplus, has managed to procure Covid-19 vaccines as it targets vaccinating 60 percent of the population to achieve herd immunity.

Treasury has also been able to finance major development programmes at local level through devolution funds.
This has seen classroom blocks, clinics, water and sewer reticulation infrastructure and roads being constructed.

The country’s new Parliament Building in Mt Hampden is 90 percent complete.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said in a statement on the Ministry’s Twitter timeline that Government has scored successes in addressing socio-economic challenges in the country as a result of Treasury funding.

“Treasury is now recording a budget surplus where we once had deficits. The surpluses are now funding major construction projects, including roads, bridges, housing, providing public transport and social security, including food aid and cash allowances to vulnerable groups,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

“We have also kept Covid-19 cases in check and our vaccination programme is ranked among the best in the world. Our Government has procured over 12 million vaccination doses and more than 7 million Zimbabweans have been vaccinated so far.”

The Minister said Government had also capacitated about 2 million smallholder farmers through the Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme to address food insecurity.

She said the financing of projects such as the Lake Gwayi Shangani, which had been stagnant for years, shows the Government’s commitment towards transforming lives and shrugging off the marginalisation tag.

“The Gwayi Shangani Dam Water Project, which was stagnant for decades, is now almost complete and it will guarantee reliable, clean and safe water supply for most in Matabeleland. Hwange Power Station expansion to include Units 7 and 8 will soon feed an additional 600 megawatts into the national grid,” she said.

Some projects that are underway include construction of the Lupane Provincial Hospital, rehabilitation of doctors’ quarters at Mpilo Central Hospital and construction of the Tuli-Manyange Dam in Matabeleland South.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Government continues to chart new paths in the democratisation processes through the opening up of broadcast airwaves, while re-engaging both foreigners and the diaspora community.

“We have expanded access to information with the licensing of 21 community radio stations and six commercial television stations. Our diaspora community is now placing increasing confidence in national economic management by investing in assets back home. The engagement and re-engagement drive is delivering positive results. The pariah state tag we carried has now given way to wholesome, all-round diplomatic and economic friendships,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.

She said Government is rehabilitating the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundi north-south corridor to foster trade in the region, while also working towards reviving some industries.

“Today Zimbabwe is now among the world’s top 20 business reformers and we are also third on Africa’s budget transparency list,” she said. — @nqotshili