Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE Government has intensified efforts to modernise the country’s transport network, with the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road progressing well as part of the Second Republic’s bold commitment to infrastructure development.
Contractors are working on a critical stretch near Turk Mine, where the road has already been primed and gravel laid — the final stage before tarring. The Bulawayo-Nkayi Road is among the 33 roads prioritised by the Government for rehabilitation in 2025, alongside the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road. Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, announced in his 2025 Budget that each road will see 50 kilometres upgraded.
The project dovetails with the Government’s national drive to improve connectivity and unlock economic opportunities in rural provinces. Once complete, travel time between Bulawayo and Inyathi is expected to be cut to under 30 minutes, easing transport challenges for farming communities and opening the area to investors in Matabeleland North.
Beyond long-term benefits, the road works are already creating jobs for locals. Villagers have been hired for tasks such as sweeping and clearing gravel ahead of tarring.
“We were given the jobs about two weeks ago and we work in small teams along the road. We are happy that the contractor did not look far but picked women from the surrounding villages,” said Mrs Phumulani Moyo, one of the workers.
She noted that this time the community is witnessing real progress.
“In the past, we saw contractors coming and going after working on very small sections. But this time, good progress is being made. Our prayer is that the jobs will continue until the road reaches Inyathi Business Centre,” said Mrs Moyo.
Construction of two bridges near Turk Mine has also commenced, marking further progress on the long-awaited project that links Bulawayo with Inyathi and Nkayi.
Bubi Rural District Council chief executive officer, Dr Patson Mlilo, said completion of the road will be a game-changer for investment.
“The road is just 60 kilometres long from Bulawayo to Inyathi Business Centre, but it took close to two hours to travel, so it’s not a secret that investors will shun such an area,” he said.
“We hope that when the rehabilitation works are complete, investors will start taking an interest in our rural district council. As a rural district council, we want to see wholesalers, manufacturers of different commodities and suppliers of fresh products such as bread and milk coming here for business and that way our local economy will grow.”
Dr Mlilo said improved connectivity would also support housing and business developments.
“As a rural district council, we would like to see people building houses here and working as far as Bulawayo, and they can commute everyday because the travelling distance will be 30 minutes or so when the road is in a good state,” he said.
Working on a stretch just after the Ingwingwizi River Bridge in Bubi District, the contractor Difflock Construction has primed a stretch of road for over 14 kilometres en route to Nkayi and traffic has been diverted to a long winding detour to allow for smooth construction work.
Bubi legislator Cde Simelisizwe Sibanda said the kilometre-by-kilometre approach that was adopted by the Government to fix all critical roads in the country was working as evidenced by tangible results of the Bulawayo-Nkayi rehabilitation project.
“The progress on the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road is there for all to see and it’s important to note that the kilometre-by-kilometre approach that was adopted by the Government works in such a way that when funds are availed for road construction, that money is spent on critical roads. Rehabilitating a kilometre at a time will one day result in the Bulawayo-Nkayi being completed and that is the Government’s ultimate goal,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road is set to breathe new life into Matabeleland North and neighbouring regions, cementing its place as a key artery for trade, farming and investment.
“Right now transport fares are high because of the bad state of the road, but as the rehabilitation continues kilometre by kilometre, public transport operators will be forced to reduce their fares and local communities will benefit from the extra disposable income from selling their farm produce to Bulawayo,” said Cde Sibanda.
Bubi Rural District Council Ward 8 Councillor Ignatius Khabo said the Second Republic has shown commitment to rehabilitating the road.
“We are pleased with the work being done. This road has been in a poor state for years, making travel difficult for both motorists and businesses. We urge the Government to extend rehabilitation efforts to other sections of the road as well,” he said.
The rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road is expected to boost economic activities, as the route serves as a crucial link between Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, and parts of the Midlands.
Mr Royce Sibanda, a villager along the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road near Ingwingwizi River, appealed to the Government to speed up the rehabilitation works of the road.
“The road is bad. We are being charged exorbitant bus fares to get to Bulawayo because the bus operators are aware that we don’t have a choice. Our appeal is for the Government to complete the road upgrades from Inyathi Business Centre to Bulawayo before the rainy season,” said Mr Sibanda.
Just as well. This road has been in construction for the past 31 years. It gets “remembered” during elections. I hope indeed this is true and that it will be completed. That interchange didnt took less than 10 years