By Correspondent
In the run-up towards the country hosting the SADC Summit President Mnangagwa has said he expects to see “a record of excellence”.
Zimbabwe will be assuming the Chairmanship of the bloc from Angola and Mnangagwa wants a grand event.
This has resulted in the current frenzy to remedy and rehabilitate over 40 roads.
With the country blocked from accessing loans for capital projects due to defaults on old loans in 1999, Treasury is financing the projects.
Hence, the 2024 national budget allocated Z$1.4 trillion ($85 million) for road works this year.
For a country reeling from an acute drought and actually begging for international support, it’s either a flex or an involuntary act.
The SADC-roads program has a deadline of July 31 and some have already been opened.
This type of efficiency has been strange and welcome.
After years of bobbing in and out of potholes some areas of Harare have received salvation.
Benefits Of Visitors
It seems international events are what government obeys to improve service standards in the country.
In the context of a shabby Harare some of the rehabilitated roads were actually good.
Others have been widened and new street lights are being fitted also.
Harare City Council has joined the bandwagon and resurrected the water fountains in Africa Unity Square.
After years of drab, green sludge and rusty pipes the images of spraying water is a surreal reminder of a lost city.
Other areas such as refuse collection remain erratic and water-shedding remain present challenges.
However, the SADC Summit provides a ray of hope and imagination.
Maybe if the country could host more such grand events the country could improve.
