MDC-T Shadow Minister of Finance analyses Chinamasa’s mid-term policy review statement

5. Positive Developments

5.2 Tourism

Visa Regime

Tourism is always a low hanging fruit. The re-classification of 37 countries from category C to B in order to grant visas at point of entry is commendable. This will promote Tourism. However, we are surprised why only the SEYCHELLES was given category A status which abolishes visa requirements?

Importation of Capital Goods

Tax exemption on imported capital goods for Tourism is welcome. Provisions of S.I. 5 of 2016 no longer apply

5.3 Infrastructure

During the first six months of 2016, cumulative disbursements towards infrastructure projects amounted to $112.6 million. This is a small figure but given the budget constraint, this is a step in the right direction. The resources benefited projects in the following sectors:

• Transport and Communication ($28 million), Energy ($25.5 million), Water and Sanitation ($20.2 million), ICT ($18.5 million), Housing ($12.2 million), Irrigation ($4.6 million) and Education/Health infrastructure ($3.6 million).

Project evaluation must be done on all outstanding infrastructure projects, especially the Tokwe-Mukosi Dam, which is taking forever to complete.  In fact investigations must be commenced in order to find out whether value for money is being realized. Investigations must also check on the costing of the dam and the penalties.  Suspected misappropriation of funds on this project must be investigated.

The Tender system on public projects must be re-examined. Zimbabwe is losing millions of dollars in over prized tenders.

• On Rural Electrification, it is sad to note that government is wasting public resources by not commissioning completed projects. A typical example is the rural electrification project done in Ward 17, in Chief Shumba area of Masvingo District, Masvingo Central Constituency of Hon Edmund Mhere (ZANU PF). The Project was completed in 2014 but its energisation has been delayed by the failure by ZESA to procure transformers and pre-paid meters. This is affecting the whole community including Manunure Secondary School and Machitenda Primary school.  This state of affairs could be prevailing country wide.

Again, this reflects incompetency and corruption in government departments. There is no sense of urgency. Neither is there a realization that public assets are lying idle.

• The finalization of the contract on the Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu Carriageway is a positive development.  However, the cost of the project must be investigated. Different valuations were made giving different costs. For example in 2013, the road was estimated to cost $1.3 billion but now the cost has almost doubled.

The upgrading of airports, especially the Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria falls airports is commendable.

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