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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
The Government has availed $40 million to the District Development (DDF) as initial funding for the rehabilitation of the road network in Matabeleland South’s seven districts.
Some of the roads have succumbed to wear and tear, but the majority have been extensively damaged by the ongoing rains, which are often accompanied by severe flooding.
Matabeleland South DDF coordinator, Mr Moment Malandu said they were expecting more funding and an additional grader to boost their capacity on the ground.
He made the remarks during the official launch of the DDF Roads Maintenance Blitz at Mapani village in Ward 6 under Beitbridge East Constituency.
Mr Malandu said they had requested from the national Government $229 million to service a total of 808 km.
The money, he said, will be used for spot gravelling, regrading, reshaping, culverts, piped drifts and construction of bridges.
“We are now hard at work on the ground and the $40 million we have received so far will be used on preliminary road rehabilitation works in all major selected roads in Matabeleland South,” said Mr Malandu.
He said they were hoping to get more equipment from their head office so that they may be able to deliver expeditiously.
“Currently we have one grader that caters for the whole of Matabeleland South. So, in the interim, while we await the arrival of more equipment, we are making use of contractors and this is expensive.
“In a scenario where we use our own equipment, we can be able to cut costs and put more money into infrastructure development,” said Mr Malandu.
He said their current target is to rehabilitate a total of 179km in Beitbridge, 63km in Umzingwane, 109km in Gwanda, 136km in Insiza, 119km in Matobo, 127km in Bulilima, and 75km in Mangwe districts respectively.
Matabeleland South’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Abedneco Ncube ,who was represented by the acting provincial development coordinator, Mr Peter Mahlathini said a good road network would enhance socio and economic development in the area.
“As a province, we are thankful to the Government under the stewardship of President Mnangagwa for the timely intervention in the implementation of the blitz road maintenance programme through the District Development Fund,” he said.
The Minister said currently some areas in the province were unable to access administrative centres, health facilities, shopping centres or to transport their agricultural inputs due to the bad state of the roads.
Online Reporter