Zimbabwe: Msika Commissions Roads Equipment

Source from:  The Herald (Harare) 1 August 2008 08/04/2008

THE dualisation and repair of some of the country's major roads got a huge boost yesterday after Vice President Joseph Msika commissioned an assortment of earthmoving equipment bought from China. The equipment, which includes bulldozers, concrete mixers, hydraulic excavators, concrete dumpers, motor graders, tractors, rollers among others was bought at a total cost of US$1,5 million by the Ministry of Transport and Communications. Speaking at the commisioning ceremony, Cde Msika said China was now one of the biggest single investors in Zimbabwe and this was testimony of Beijing's confidence in Zimbabwe despite the onslaught by Western detractors. He said the massive investment China has made in Zimbabwe since Harare embarked on a Look East Policy was evidence of the Asian giant's confidence in the country's capability to determine its own political, social and economic destiny. The earthmoving equipment procured is currently busy at Mukuvisi River bridge in Waterfalls where it is being used in the dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo Road. "Government and the ruling party deliberately adopted the Look East Policy as a means of overcoming the economic challenges currently afflicting our country because of the illegal sanctions imposed on us by Britain, America and their Western allies," he said. "I am delighted to note that this policy has been successfully implemented with economic deals and partnerships having been concluded with companies from the People's Republic of China, Russia, India, Malaysia, Singapore and other friendly countries in that region." Cde Msika castigated Britain and its Western allies for imposing an embargo on Zimbabwe, saying the country had done no wrong to warrant the sanctions. He said Zimbabwe was being punished because the Government was implementing resolutions that were agreed during the liberation struggle, which include giving people land. "What have we done. Do we deserve this? We have nothing to apologise for to these big powers. We believe that nothing but the truth is what is important," said Cde Msika. He said Government did not take away all the land from whites but wanted it shared among the landless majority. Britain and its Western allies were imposing sanctions so that people could turn against the Government and it was crucial that Zimbabweans realised that, said the Vice President. "Don't blame (President) Mugabe for the shortages you are experiencing. You should know that these sanctions are meant to incite you to react against the Government. You must analyse issues. Yes, we are suffering because of sanctions but resist the temptations," he said. Speaking at the same occasion, the Minister of Transport and Communications, Cde Christopher Mushohwe, said the procurement of the equipment by the Department of Roads was one of the numerous deals his ministry had signed with China. He said the equipment would go a long way in revamping the country's road network whose maintenance had been hampered by the escalating costs of spare parts to repair old equipment, which he said was becoming obsolete. The ministry is set to acquire more earthmoving equipment from the Asian country, said Cde Mushohwe. He said the dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo Road from Mukuvisi River bridge to Zitac tobacco auction floors and the portion from Turnpike to Norton along the Harare-Bulawayo Road should be completed before the onset of the rainy season. "My ministry will continue to think outside the box to ensure that the road network is improved," he said. Enditem