Cabinet received reports on progress made in the implementation of priority projects for the 3rd 100-Day Cycle of 2023, as presented by the Ministers of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion; Transport and Infrastructural Development; Mines and Mining Development; and Environment, Climate and Wildlife.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Felix Mhona reported on progress recorded for projects under his purview as follows:
- The contractor for the rehabilitation of the old International Terminal Building at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport has completed a needs assessment, and has started the rewiring for electricity and electronics, and replacement of partitions and the ceiling. Progress at the old terminal has reached 4%;
- 461.5km of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge road has been completed and opened to traffic, leaving 118km to be completed;
- The Mbudzi Interchange project has reached 54% of completion;
- Regarding the targeted 20km Harare-Kanyemba Road, construction of 15km to base 2 level has been completed, while progress on the other 5km is above 40%; and
- Construction and upgrading of the targeted 5 km on the Bulawayo Nkayi Road has been completed to base 1 level.
The Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Dr. Zhemu Soda reported progress on projects under his purview as follows:
Construction of the DISCO Carbon Steel Plant in Mashonaland East/Midlands Provinces to produce 600 000 tonnes of carbon steel per annum is underway, and is targeted for completion in December 2023.
Phase 1 of the project will generate US$600 million per annum and employ about 2 000 people; construction of the Dinson Colliery Coke Oven Battery has reached 95%, and completion is targeted for December 2023;
iii. On the establishment of the ZIMASCO High Carbon Ferrochrome Smelter, Furnace 1 is fully operational and has employed 87 local people.
Furnace 2 was commissioned in June 2023, employing 173 people.
Furnaces 7 and 8 will be commissioned on 31 December 2023, while the Sintering Plant will be commissioned on 31 March,
2024;
iv. Regarding expansion of the Pickstone Peerless Mine, the Southwell shaft has been completed, 270 people are employed for underground operations, while completion of Phase 1 at Burnett Shaft is expected in April 2024.
v. the Karo Platinum Mine at Selous in Mashonaland West Province is expected to commence production in June 2025, and will employ 850 people.
The Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion, Professor Mthuli Ncube reported on progress recorded on projects under his purview key among which were the following:
Tax revenues amounting to Z$2.7 trillion and non-tax revenues amounting to Z$6.3 billion was mobilized in September;
Actual expenditure on employment costs amounted to Z$1.083 trillion for the month of September 2023. Payments reflect the recent reviews awarded in July 2023, and the 2 500 teachers recruited in
September 2023; iii. Z$867 billion was disbursed towards social protection, exceeding the target by 18%;
iv. Resources amounting to Z$555.5 billion were disbursed towards the following projects:
Hwange 7&8;
Road rehabilitation;
Dam construction;
Strategic grain reserve;
Education and Health;
Housing development;
ICT and
Other capital expenditure, including capacitating Government Ministries.
The Minister of Environment, Climate and Wildlife, Mangaliso Ndlovu reported on progress on projects under his purview as follows:
Installation of a Wood Drying Kiln machine at Cashel Valley in Chimanimani is 50% complete;
Progress on the revival of Gutu Tree Nursery, Masvingo Province is at 25%;
The Gonarezhou Water Rehabilitation project is 80% complete;
Construction of the Chimanimani and Muzarabani District Offices is at 25% completion; and
The Zaka District Office is at 60% completion;
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