Residents in Insiza have welcomed renewed construction work on a long-stalled registry office complex, saying the development has restored hope after years of uncertainty.
Construction on the registry building, which was launched in 2001 with hopes of decentralising services such as passport and birth certificate applications, has been at a standstill for years.
In recent weeks, however, construction activity has intensified, with workers now plastering and roofing the structure. Community leaders say the project appears to be nearing completion.
Sindiso Sibanda, chairperson of the Bekezela residents’ association, said the unfinished building had long stood as a reminder of stalled development.
“We thought it would never be completed,” he said. “But now we are seeing progress. They have plastered and are now roofing. We hope that by the end of next month they will have finished.”
Mr Sibanda said the renewed activity had eased concerns that had been raised about the viability of the project, with many residents now looking forward to the practical benefits the completed registry office is expected to bring.
Registry offices provide essential civil services, including the processing of national identity documents, birth certificates and other official records. Residents say having a fully functional facility closer to home would reduce travel costs and waiting times.
While welcoming the progress, Mr Sibanda urged authorities to extend similar momentum to other infrastructure projects in the area, particularly road rehabilitation.
“We wish such developments to be finished even in other places,” he said, adding that residents hoped local roads would also be upgraded to an improved standard.
Authorities have not yet announced an official completion date for the project. For now, residents say the visible progress marks a significant shift from years of inactivity.