Sikhulekelani Moyo

Zimpapers Business Hub

INDUSTRY and Commerce Minister Mangaliso Ndlovu has implored local authorities to consider public-private partnerships (PPPs) for the development and delivery of key public infrastructure projects, noting that the councils have the land but lack the capacity to develop it.

The minister expressed the sentiments in an interview on the sidelines of the Enock Construction stakeholder appreciation dinner held on Friday in Bulawayo, where he was the guest of honour.

Minister Ndhlovu recommended the PPP model to local authorities for them to build modern cities.

“As local authorities, they do have the land, but by and large they really don’t have the requisite equipment to develop land to modern standards where your sewer reticulation infrastructure is top quality, road infrastructure, electricity connectivity and all this,” said Minister Ndhlovu.

“So, bring in the private sector, partner in these projects, and you’ll come up with the results that we are seeing. The PPPs, in my view, are a model to recommend, especially to local authorities if they are to build modern cities.

“I must say that the project that Enock Construction is doing now, the Valindre, has got areas where it will be accommodating high-rise buildings, densification again, which is consistent with what the National Development Strategy (NDS2) is speaking to. Land is finite. We cannot continue to expand and expand.

“We have future generations to take care of. So, you can see what the private sector is bringing now to facilitate the densification as we develop our area. So, I would really recommend that local authorities strongly consider PPPs.”

The minister applauded the Bulawayo City Council for its support of local companies, saying that this helps create employment and empower local investments.

He also applauded Enock Construction, saying that the work done in developing the Mahatshula East in Bulawayo was amazing, leading many people to assume the project was carried out by some international companies.

“Enock Construction is a fairly young company in Zimbabwe; it is plus or minus four years old and has been operating for around two and a half years now. But the kind of work that they’ve done in land development, in road construction, is quite amazing,” added Minister Ndlovu.