News / National
Local companies set to be awarded tenders to build infrastructure
30 Oct 2020 at 06:24hrs | Views
GOVERNMENT yesterday announced plans to prioritise local companies in roads, aviation and railway infrastructure tenders, in a move which will save foreign currency paid to foreign contractors.
This was said by Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Joel Biggie Matiza during his ministry's two-day strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
If implemented, this will be a major policy shift, whereby in the past government would award road construction tenders to foreign companies.
Locals have also complained that the foreign nationals brought in foreign workers, even for menial jobs.
Matiza said he hired local companies in the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Harare Highway, adding that the move was paying off to the extent that the Transport ministry intended to do the same with rail and aviation tenders.
"Government set a target of 200 kilometres along the Beitbridge-Harare Road to be rehabilitated and upgraded to regional standards before year end. The project involves local contractors, an initiative set to reduce the use of foreign currency on major projects," Matiza said.
"Using local contractors aids economic growth and increases the capacity of local firms. Given the success of this model, we hope to replicate this not only on other roads but in projects such as aviation and railways as well," he said.
The Transport minister said COVID-19 had severely affected many infrastructural development projects.
He pleaded with participants to draft a strategic plan to ensure a successful turnaround of the economy.
"Our objective this week is to develop a strategic plan that will guide and ensure the continued vitality of our transport sector and the related infrastructure. It is important to note that this strategic plan which we are compiling will run up to 2023," Matiza said.
This was said by Transport and Infrastructural Development minister Joel Biggie Matiza during his ministry's two-day strategic planning workshop in Bulawayo on Tuesday.
If implemented, this will be a major policy shift, whereby in the past government would award road construction tenders to foreign companies.
Locals have also complained that the foreign nationals brought in foreign workers, even for menial jobs.
Matiza said he hired local companies in the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Harare Highway, adding that the move was paying off to the extent that the Transport ministry intended to do the same with rail and aviation tenders.
"Government set a target of 200 kilometres along the Beitbridge-Harare Road to be rehabilitated and upgraded to regional standards before year end. The project involves local contractors, an initiative set to reduce the use of foreign currency on major projects," Matiza said.
"Using local contractors aids economic growth and increases the capacity of local firms. Given the success of this model, we hope to replicate this not only on other roads but in projects such as aviation and railways as well," he said.
The Transport minister said COVID-19 had severely affected many infrastructural development projects.
He pleaded with participants to draft a strategic plan to ensure a successful turnaround of the economy.
"Our objective this week is to develop a strategic plan that will guide and ensure the continued vitality of our transport sector and the related infrastructure. It is important to note that this strategic plan which we are compiling will run up to 2023," Matiza said.
Source - newsday
