Barmlo joins other private sector players in rural infrastructure development

Harare-BARMLO Construction is immensely contributing to the construction sector boom and has extended its footprint to rural areas, Express Mail Zim can report.

The company is now renovating houses in rural areas, and diasporans are keen to make over their parents’ rural homes.

The rapid growth visibility in rural areas compelled Barmlo to complement government efforts on various key infrastructure projects in rural areas, including schools.

In an interview with Express Mail Zim Thursday, Barmlo Group of Companies chief executive officer Dr Banabasi Marambire said they want to bridge gap between low and high income earners :

“We have seen more people building modern houses in the rural areas which has contributed to the growth and demand of construction services in the entire country.We also have realised that many companies are focusing in the up market, ignoring the low and medium income earners, so we are mainly focusing to close that gap by providing low cost houses across all social groups”, said Dr Marambire.

Construction in Zimbabwe is at its peak. In the past years, private players have been making a notable contribution.

Barmlo’s initiatives prove that the private sector can play a pivotal role as they complete projects on fast time lines since there is less bureaucracy, unlike government projects.

According to the country’s five-year development plan, National Development Strategy 1 (NDS-1,) the government committed to infrastructure development, supported by the private sector.

Barmlo’s headquarters is in rural areas of Mberengwa at Mberengwa Business Centre and other offices in Harare,Zvishavane, and Filabusi.

They are also currently building in all provinces of Zimbabwe,in Mutare, Rusape, Mutoko, Harare, Karoi, Gweru, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Bulawayo etc.

They also recently launched the Easy Build School Block Scheme, which helps schools infrastructure and offering very flexible payment plans at zero per cent interest rates. Under this facility, they have already constructed administration Block in Zvishavane at Alpha and Omega High School. They are constructing an ‘A’ level laboratory block at Mnene High School. It is believed that this is going to be one of the best in the province as it consists of modern laboratory facilities. It’s a 60m x 10m block. There are other various schools in Mashonaland and Manicaland provinces to as far as Chipinge, Mhondoro, Hwedza, Masvingo, Gokwe and Plumtree which have since approached Barmlo Construction to engage them on the Zero interest Credit Facility.

The program was launched by Education Minister Hon Tonderai Moyo at a Harare hotel. The director of non-formal education, who was present, alluded that there is 2500 shortage for school blocks. Therefore, initiatives from the private sector to develop school infrastructure will be highly appreciated by the ministry.

During the interview, Dr Marambire also took an opportunity to congratulate Dr Tinashe Manzungu for his recent appointment as president of Zimbabwe Building Contractors Association (ZBCA)

Lately, a certain rural house, among other rural projects that Barmlo is developing, includes renovations, which have been trending on social media, leaving many people wondering how it will cost for such kind of developments.