NEW: Cabinet approves development of Melfort Smart City

Online Reporter

CABINET has approved the development of Melfort Smart City in Goromonzi to drive economic growth as the area could directly link exporters to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Melfort is strategically located midway between Harare and Marondera and has the potential to become a major economic hub.

In a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Monica Mutsvangwa said Cabinet considered and approved the proposals.

“Cabinet wishes to inform the nation that the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, and a consortium of pension and provident funds, banking institutions and other developers fronted by the Zimbabwe Electricity Industry Pension Fund and the ZESA Pension Fund is collaborating the development of Melfort Smart City,” Minister Mutsvangwa said.

“Melfort has a direct link with the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport and the link road will reduce the distance to the airport for the exporters and other vehicular traffic from the East.”

It is believed there are substantial downstream spin-offs from the envisaged development of the smart city, as it also aims at decongesting Harare.

“The development can be replicated to other areas such as Figtree, and Chirundu Border Post.”

Given that Melfort Smart City is a private sector-driven development project, she added, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities will engage potential investors on the funding models to ensure the speedy development of the project.

“The engagement with potential investors will pave way for the spatial planning of the smart city. There will be an industrial park and office park to support spatial efficiency in development, promote import substitution and develop sustainability and value addition on agricultural produce,” she said.

The new development comes as Government has embarked on providing accommodation for over 31 000 families living in irregular settlements.