Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Writer
THE Bulawayo/Victoria Falls rehabilitation project is gaining momentum with implementation of critical road works by five contractors now at various stages as Government races to meet the 10-month implementation deadline.
Five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Construction, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems were awarded contracts by Government to rehabilitate the strategic trade and tourism corridor.
The massive project is expected to take approximately 10 months to complete and will be undertaken in phases using a co-ordinated kilometre-by-kilometre approach.
Matabeleland North Minister for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Cde Richard Moyo, said Government was satisfied with the progress so far.
“The five contractors that were awarded contracts to work on the highway are all on site and Government is happy with the progress on the ground,” he said.
“Each contractor was given a specific area to work on and they are all working to meet the targets set for the completion of the project.”
A Zimpapers news crew yesterday visited construction sites along the highway that connects the southern region of Zimbabwe to neighbouring Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
In the Insuza area, rehabilitation works are progressing well with the contractor priming a section of the highway.
Access to the part of the highway that is presently being primed by the contractor has been blocked and traffic is being diverted to the detour.
In the Bernice area, the contractor was busy clearing land for the construction of a detour that cuts across a hilly terrain.
The contractors have put up temporary accommodation for hundreds of workers that will be engaged to work on the highway for the next 10 months or so.
Fossil Contracting is responsible for Lot 1 and has covered large ground of bush clearing and with detour construction in progress.
Masimba Construction was allocated Lot 2 while Syvern Investment was awarded Lot 3. Lot 4 and Lot 5 were awarded to Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems respectively.
Once complete, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is expected to greatly enhance tourism, regional trade and economic activity, particularly in Matabeleland North Province.
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road is a vital transport corridor linking Zimbabwe to regional neighbours such as Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
It supports both the movement of goods and thousands of local and international tourists heading to the iconic Victoria Falls.
Minister Moyo expressed excitement at the pace at which the contractors are undertaking the rehabilitation work.
“This is a significant milestone for Matabeleland North and the entire nation. The rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road shows that the Government is serious about improving our road network,” said Minister Moyo.
The rehabilitation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road is part of the Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda under the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
As construction continues, all road users are reminded to exercise caution and comply with traffic directives for a smooth and safe rehabilitation process.
