Chronicle Editor
Sikhulekelani Moyo, Business Reporter
TRASPORT and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, has urged Treasury to allocate more funding in the 2022 national budget towards road infrastructure rehabilitation and upgrade projects.
As the Government continues to pursue key infrastructure development as guided by the ambitious National Development Strategy (NDS1:2021-2025), the minister says more resources are needed to consolidate the gains achieved so far, especially regarding roads.
He told Parliament during question time on Wednesday that the country’s road network was no longer adequate to cater for the bloated vehicular population and needs to be expanded.
“I plead with the August House for adequate funding to the ministry as we debate our budget. Let us have an adequate budget to cater for our infrastructure, which will then enable the ministry to expand the current infrastructure that is inadequate as we speak,” said Minister Mhona.
“Our infrastructure was designed may be for vehicles less than 500. As we speak in terms of the population of the vehicles plying our roads, we are talking of about 1,5 million. You can actually see that the 1,5 million we are talking about now is not designed to ply the roads that we have.
“…which then calls for the immediate and the need to expand our infrastructure.”
Minister Mhona said the strain on the country’s roads was more evident when one approaches the toll gates where there is evidence of serious congestion.
“You are having two lanes instead of maybe four and in other areas when you are approaching the toll gate, you will be having six lanes,” he said.
The legislators also weighed in arguing that the inadequate road infrastructure was one of the main causes of accidents.
“Considering the increase of car population in the country, I would like to know what you are doing to extend the roads, the dual carriage system?” said Norton legislator, Mr Temba Mliswa. — @SikhulekelaniM1
Online Reporter