$12bn disbursed to speed up road rehab

Farirai Machivenyika
Senior Reporter
ROAD authorities across the country have so far this year received nearly $12 billion from the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) as efforts to construct a world class road network as promised by President Mnangagwa gather pace.

The money was disbursed to rural district councils, urban councils, the District Development Fund and the Department of Roads.

Figures published on Sunday show that Zinara has disbursed $11 908 222 691,42 as at August 31, from the collection of $16 973 426 383,18.

In an interview on Sunday, Zinara public relations manager Mr Tendai Mugabe said the funds were being disbursed under the Government’s Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2. He said Zinara would continue to publish the amount of money sent to road authorities every quarter.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have disbursed over $11 billion and as an institution we have decided that we will be publishing the figures on a quarterly basis to promote transparency and accountability to the motoring public as required by our board, through the guidance of Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona,” Mr Mugabe said.

Zinara was committed to releasing funds to ensure a world class road network in line with President Mnangagwa’s vision of turning the country into an empowered upper middle income society by 2030.

“For us to meet these goals, we urge motorists to abide by the laws of the land by ensuring that they license their vehicles and pay all the statutory road fees,” said Mr Mugabe.

Some of the roadworks completed through the funds disbursed by Zinara include a section of the Jopa-Kopa Road in Chimanimani in Manicaland, the resurfacing of several roads in Harare, rehabilitation of the Mbembesi Bridge washaway along the Bulawayo-Beitbridge highway in Matabeleland South, rehabilitation of Masiyephambili Road in Bulawayo, and the rehabilitation of the Nhekairo-Chigondo Road in Hwedza.

Other works include the rehabilitation of the Gwamayaya washaway in Matabeleland North, the construction of Mupembedzi Bridge in Gutu, the repair of Musavazi Bridge and its approaches along the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road in the Midlands and Binga-Bumi Road in Kariba District.

Apart from rehabilitation of roads, Government is also revamping other transport infrastructure such as airports and railways, which are critical in the overall achievement of the country’s economic objectives.