Chronicle Editor
Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
Communities in Silobela, Kwekwe District have pooled resources to fund the rehabilitation of Kwekwe-Nkayi Road which is in a bad state.
The communities rely on the road that connects Kwekwe and Nkayi districts. The road also provides the shortest route between Harare and Victoria Falls.
Silobela is also home to a number of mining companies and farmers who use the road to travel to Kwekwe for deliveries.
The road has become impassable and the situation has been worsened by the incessant rains which have been pounding the country for weeks now.
Silobela MP, Cde Mthokozisi Manoki-Mpofu said mining companies, farmers and local businesspeople, have pooled resources to fund the rehabilitation of the road.
“The road has become impassable and we are grateful to stakeholders who came together and mobilised resources so that the road can be gravelled,” he said.
Cde Manoki-Mpofu said the stakeholders managed to mobilise resources including fuel and a grader.
He said the grader is already on the ground and what is left is a tipper truck and an excavator.
Cde Manoki-Mpofu said the department of roads and Zibagwe Rural District Council are also actively involved as they supplied some of the equipment as well as technical expertise.
“We are working together with the department of roads which is actually leading us in the rehabilitation of the road.
Our council is also assisting with equipment and technical support,” said Cde Manoki-Mpofu.
The department of roads supplied 500 litres of fuel while Zibagwe RDC is expected to supply tipper trucks and a front-end loader.
Cde Manoki-Mpofu said the road is a key economic enabler as it links Silobela and Kwekwe.
Some transport operators are now capitalising on the shortage of transport due to the bad state of the road by charging exorbitant fares.
“People are paying between US$5 and US$7 for the 60 kilometre journey which normally costs US$2,” said Cde Manoki-Mpofu.
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