Bulawayo-Vic Falls road works to resume

CONSTRUCTION works on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway are expected to resume in the coming weeks after Government committed to paying the eight contractors working on the economically strategic road.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona said Government remained committed to completing the project despite funding constraints and competing demands on the national fiscus.
He said Treasury had availed funds which would be used to clear outstanding payments to contractors and enable them to return to work.

Minister Mhona was responding to Bindura South legislator Remigius Matangira during a question-and-answer session in Parliament on Wednesday.
Mr Matangira urged Government to prioritise the road, saying its deteriorating state was affecting motorists and the tourism sector.

He said although Government was rehabilitating roads across the country, priority should be given to the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway because of its economic and tourism significance.
The legislator said he had personally experienced the challenges on the road after travelling for 15 hours between Bulawayo and Hwange.

Minister Mhona acknowledged the importance of the road, particularly to the tourism industry, saying visitors to the country relied on it to access Victoria Falls and other tourist attractions.
Minister Mhona said Government was guided by President Mnangagwa’s call to ensure that no area or community was left behind in the country’s development agenda.

“His Excellency the President says we must not leave anyone and any place behind. The road you mentioned is very important because tourists who visit the country also want to see tourist attractions, whether animals or our falls. They also want to use that same road,” he said.

He said the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls highway required substantial funding, but Government was working to ensure that contractors were paid so that construction could resume.
“These companies are also supposed to be paid timeously, but if we look closely, this is not the only significant road,” he said.

Minister Mhona said Government was simultaneously dealing with other major highways, including the Victoria Falls-Beitbridge road and the road to Chirundu.

“However, as a ministry, with the funding we have accumulated, we want to pay for those rehabilitating the Victoria Falls Road. This will be done in the coming weeks. The eight companies will work together. So, I promise you that we are going to start with this road,” said Minister Mhona.