Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
BIKITA Minerals has come to the aid of Nyika and Gutu villagers in Masvingo Province after they partnered the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in the reconstruction of the 60-kilometre road leading to Kamungoma National Monument.
The road connects three villages; Chikukutu, Dungu and Vhunjere and has been inaccessible since the 2019 incessant rains. In a statement, Bikita Minerals revealed that the road construction project which began on Thursday will help connect 8 000 people to schools, clinics and markets.
In launching the road works Deputy Director in the Office of the President and Cabinet in Masvingo Province, Dr Nyasha Chikomwe commended Bikita Minerals for giving back to the community.
“The Second Republic is prioritising road construction as roads make a crucial contribution to economic development and growth and social economic benefits. Good roads provide a link to employment, social, health and education services. For those reasons, road infrastructure is an important valuable community asset,” said Dr Chikomwe.
Bikita Minerals mine manager Mr David Mwanza said the company’s corporate social responsibility programme would continue to be guided by the need for mutual benefit with communities, investing beyond mining and improving the lives of the communities.
“We are committed to rehabilitating roads in Bikita District linking schools, clinics and markets. Last month we did the Beardmore Primary School road and the Nyika-Kamungoma Road as part of the many road rehabilitation projects we are undertaking”.
“The community has been consulted and will be involved in constructing the road, and these elements-of skills transfer and ownership-mean there is a chance the roads will be locally sustainable when the project ends. There is also a strong project engagement with local leaders in and outside of the Rural District Council,” said Mr Mwanza.
Bikita Minerals also plans to rehabilitate Birchenough Bridge as the bridge connects the road between Mutare and Masvingo as well as Buhera and Chipinge districts.
Birchenough Bridge is one of the oldest bridges in the country and currently the bridge cannot accommodate haulage trucks or abnormal loads. It is expected that the construction of the new Birchenough Bridge will unlock business opportunities for businesses in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces.
Bongani Ndlovu