$61m for roads rehab

Charity Ruzvidzo Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara) has set aside $61 million for this year’s nationwide roads maintenance and rehabilitation programme, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Obert Mpofu has said.

He said this during a provincial development committee meeting with heads of government departments in Bulawayo yesterday.

Minister Mpofu said road maintenance programmes were meant to create an enabling environment for businesses to trade.

“My ministry through Zinara has set aside funds for road infrastructural development during the current budget year. The rural district councils will get $20 million, urban councils $10 million, District Development Fund $6 million, department of roads $20 million and $5 million has also been set aside for emergency road works to deal with unforeseeable road infrastructural developments,” he said.

He said in all road infrastructure projects, 50 percent of procurement and supply of services should be awarded to local businesses.

“It has come to my ministry’s attention that previously all road projects undertaken in the area didn’t benefit the local communities.

“I’ve directed Zinara to procure from local businesses or give procurement services to the locals. Meanwhile, local businesses should build the necessary capacity to be in a position to be considered for such programmes,” he said.

Minister Mpofu said his ministry would also work on the Bulawayo Airport Road which was condemned by President Mugabe during his visit last year to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair.

Minister Mpofu said it was also his ministry’s main priority to revive the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).

“The National Railways of Zimbabwe, once a giant in this economy, is surely set to reclaim its yesteryear status. As you’re aware, plans are afoot for the government through my ministry to procure funding from the Development Bank of Southern Africa for the speedy recapitalisation of NRZ.

“The eventual turnaround of this company will certainly attract a legion of downstream industries previously and presently engaged in business with it,” said Minister Mpofu.