Matebeleland projects have remained stagnant for years

Nkulumane Member of Parliament, Desire Moyo, has made a passionate plea to Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister Mthuli Ncube to allocate funding for critical infrastructure projects in the Matebeleland region that have remained stagnant for years.

Moyo's appeal comes as several essential projects, including the Bulawayo Zambezi Water Project and the Nkayi-Bulawayo and Bulawayo-Tsholotsho roads, continue to languish despite being on the government's agenda for decades. The state of these projects has raised concerns among local communities, who are bearing the brunt of delayed development.

Moyo emphasized the urgency of completing the Zambezi Water Project, the Nkayi-Bulawayo Road, and the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road, all of which have faced numerous setbacks over the years.

"The Minister of Finance must assist me so that I do not die before seeing that the Bulawayo Zambezi Water Project is completed," Moyo stated. "Secondly, I must not die before the Nkayi-Tsholotsho-Rupisa Road is finished before the end of this year."

The Zambezi Water Project, which has been under discussion since 1912, involves the construction of the Gwayi-Shangani Dam. The ambitious project, designed to pipe water over 400 kilometers from the Zambezi River to Bulawayo, is seen as a long-term solution to the city's persistent water shortages. However, despite starting in 2004, the project has missed several deadlines, with the completion date now pushed back to 2026 from its most recent target of December 2023.

Moyo's frustrations are further fueled by the dire state of the region's road infrastructure. The Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, initially slated for completion in 2009, has seen only a fraction of the nearly 170 kilometers resurfaced and widened. Less than 50 kilometers of the road has been upgraded, leaving the majority in a dilapidated state. The Bulawayo-Tsholotsho road has similarly suffered from years of neglect.

Former Vice-President Joice Mujuru had previously blamed the failure to complete the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road on a shortage of funds, citing the redirection of billions of dollars to address the country's food crisis. Zanu-PF secretary for administration Obert Mpofu also attributed the delays to sanctions, claiming that external partners withdrew from the projects before completion.

Critics, however, argue that the government's lack of commitment to these infrastructure projects has led to years of delays, leaving communities in the Matabeleland region without essential services.

With growing frustration among local residents, Moyo's plea highlights the need for the government to prioritize these long-overdue projects to improve living conditions and support economic development in the region.