Online Reporter
The Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) says it will disburse ZWG11,6 billion to road authorities which include councils, the Department of Roads and the Rural Infrastructure Development Authority (Rida) this year.
The country’s roads are in a very bad state as a result of the incessant rains received across the country this year hence the Government’s decision to extend the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP2).
The Zinara disbursement will therefore boost funding for roads rehabilitation programme in both urban and rural areas.
Government resources are overwhelmed given the number of major highways that urgently need rehabilitation hence the support from stakeholders like Zinara is very welcome.
What quickly comes to mind is the Beitbridge- Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway where some sections of the road urgently need rehabilitation.
This is a very important and busy highway leading to the country’s tourist capital, Victoria Falls City.
What is encouraging is that work is already underway to repair the badly damaged sections of the highway through a collaborative effort between the Department of Roads and a private company, Bitumen World.
Last October, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere said Cabinet had considered and adopted a proposed Public-Private Partnership between the Government and Bitumen World for the immediate reconstruction of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway.
This means Bitumen World will rehabilitate the highway under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement once the partnership deal is finalised.
Zwane Enterprises Private Limited is upgrading the 120km Old Gwanda Road under a similar arrangement and will recoup its costs from the tolling fees.
We have already stated that Government is overwhelmed by the number of major roads that need urgent attention hence the need for private companies to come on board and partner it under the BOT arrangement.
A good road network is key to economic development as it enhances business logistics such as movement of goods or farm produce to the different markets.
Mining companies in Matabeleland North have already responded to calls for private companies to complement Government efforts to repair roads and are working on the Cross Dete- Binga Road.
This is as it should be hence we urge other companies to join in and speed up the road rehabilitation programme to improve the country’s road network which is in a very bad state because of the rains this season.
In urban areas such as Bulawayo, some commuters are now walking long distances to access public transport as kombis have suspended services in their areas because of bad roads.
It is these areas that councils should prioritise when they receive funding from Zinara.
According to Zinara there was a great improvement in the implementation and acquittals for allocated funds last year and we hope the trend will continue this year.
