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Freeman Razemba-Senior Reporter
ROAD users, especially mining companies and those involved in brick moulding, have been warned against damaging newly-rehabilitated roads. They will be forced to repair them and face heavy fines.
Speaking when he officially opened to traffic, a 5km stretch along Solomon Mujuru Drive (formerly Kirkman Road) in Harare’s Dzivaresekwa Extension suburb yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, said more roads will be constructed as the Government forges ahead with its infrastructure development programme.
The road was constructed by a local company, Leengate Contractors, in line with the mantra, “Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo/ Ilizwe lakhiwa ngabanikazi balo” being championed by President Mnangagwa.
It will link motorists to the Harare-Bulawayo Highway, especially those coming from the Westgate area.
Before the opening of this stretch, the motorists were using the road that passes through Westlea, a development that caused congestion.
Now, there are more options as some now can pass through Tynwald and Dzivaresekwa off Solomon Mujuru Drive and join the Harare-Bulawayo Highway.
Minister Mhona, Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution Charles Tawengwa, Zinara board chairperson Dr George Manyaya, Zinara chief executive Mr Nkosinathi Ncube and other senior Government officials, were in Dzivaresekwa Extension yesterday to commission the 5km stretch.
In an interview, Minister Mhona said it was important that road users who damage roads participate in their reconstruction, and not leave the burden to Government alone.
“I am sure we need to disseminate this very loud and clear message to the people of Zimbabwe, to say we have road users, especially companies, mining companies, brick moulding companies, quarry companies, just to mention a few, which have been using our roads, but not partaking in the exercise of maintaining our roads,” he said.
“We are saying going forward, whoever is using our roads has to account to the people of Zimbabwe, not necessarily to say we are punishing the road users, but it actually makes sense for us to then say ‘this is our road, let’s look after it’.”
Minister Mhona said if roads were damaged, there was need to attend to them speedily, adding that he will engage the Ministers of Industry and Commerce and Mines and Mining Development, to find ways of ensuring that mining companies and those transporting goods, participate in road repairs.
He said the people must “take ownership of our infrastructure, against vandalism”, including of road signs.
Going forward, more roads will be constructed as the Government moves to ensure world-class roads that dovetail with the national aspiration of attaining an empowered upper middle income society.
Zinara was commended for allocating more funds towards road rehabilitation, unlike in the past when management used to spend the collected money to pamper bosses.
Minister Mhona said the coming in of Dr George Manyaya as board chairman had transformed the way Zinara operates, especially on accountability and disbursements of funds towards road construction.
On his part, Dr Manyaya said over US$50 million was still available and would be disbursed for road works.
Minister Tawengwa said the commissioning of the road was a significant step forward in Government’s ongoing efforts to enhance mobility, accessibility, and economic growth in both Harare Metropolitan and Mashonaland West provinces.
“The congestion that had plagued our streets for too long had hindered not only our daily commuters, but also the economic vitality of our communities.
“With the opening to traffic of Solomon Mujuru Drive, we are taking a substantial stride towards alleviating this issue. This route will provide a much-needed alternative for drivers, reducing travel times and easing the burden on other routes,” he said.
Shipping and Forwarding Agents Association of Zimbabwe (SFAAZ) chief executive Mr Washington Dube hailed the Government for rehabilitating roads and other key infrastructure countrywide.
He added that the rehabilitation of roads will result in the quick movement of goods, saving on transport and other logistical costs.
“This will make Zimbabwe more competitive, not only in Zimbabwe itself, but among SADC nations, COMESA and also the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Mr Dube said.
Online Reporter