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Midlands Correspondent
Midlands Provincial Affairs Minister Owen Ncube has implored local authorities to prioritise infrastructural development, as it plays a critical role in attracting investment. Speaking during the official launch of the Kwekwe City’s road rehabilitation programme last Friday, Minister Ncube said the new Government was focusing on transforming and growing the economy, which he said can only be achieved through infrastructural development.

“Our President has been going around telling the world that Zimbabwe is open for business and we should also help preach this good news,” he said.

“But for us to achieve this, we should work on improving our infrastructure as local authorities.”
Minister Ncube said infrastructure development was the key to development.

“If we have a good road network, a good railway network, we can easily attract investors because every investor would want to transport his or her goods or services,” he said.
“Before making any commitments, a serious investor will first look on the state of infrastructure of a city or country.”
Minister Ncube commended the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) for working hand-in-glove with the Government and local authorities in improving the country’s road network.

“It is, therefore, in this vein that ZINARA is supporting an Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme and funds are allocated to various road authorities, including councils,” he said.

Minister Ncube said councils should also work on providing vending stalls for vendors in order to decongest cities.
He thanked Zvishavane Town Council for constructing a state-of-the-art vending market.

“Soon, we are going to commission a state-of-the-art vending stall in Zvishavane and we commend the local authority for the good job,” he said.