Construction of major roads underway to boost development

THE construction of three major roads aimed at easing the flow of traffic and attracting more investments in the Midlands province is underway as Government pushes to quicken the achievement of the National Development Strategy (NDS 1) and Vision 2030 goals.

Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Cde Owen Ncube, said this while addressing the recent inaugural 2024 joint Midlands Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) development meeting.

The gathering was attended by party leaders, senior party leaders, legislators and district development players, among others.

“In terms of road construction and maintenance,we have the Shurugwi-Boterekwa-Chachacha Road that is being constructed using Treasury funding, to the tune of US$41 million ,by a contractor, Road Trackers and the project is underway.

“We have the Kwekwe-Mvuma Road, which is being constructed with a 15km stretch already surfaced by Rida. Then there is the 33km of the targeted 50km for phase 1 construction of Gweru-Lower Gweru Road that has been tarred so far by the contractor, Road Trackers,” said Minister Ncube.

He said the Government was, however, aware of some critical roads that require urgent attention such as the dilapidated Kwekwe-Nkayi Road and Gokwe-Chitekete, among others.

Minister Ncube said since the inception of the Second Republic, the Midlands Province has recorded massive progress in the implementation and monitoring of programmes and projects across all sectors of the economy.

He said the registration of food-insecure households for the lean season January to March is complete,with some districts now receiving food assistance.

“MPs have been requested to assist with transportation of grain to avoid overcharging for transport costs by unscrupulous transporters, where GMB faces transportation challenges,” said the minister.

“Following the declaration of the current drought as a State of National Disaster by President Mnangagwa, the President has further directed that all food insecure households and people be enumerated by April 15 (today).”

Accordingly, he said, the village-based registration exercise must be done as a matter of urgency and be completed and submitted to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare by yesterday (April 14).

“Modalities for the current feeding scheme direct that traditional leaders be at the centre of the distribution system supported by councillors and the party exercising its oversight role,” said Cde Ncube.

The minister has held several performance monitoring visits to Government ministries, departments and agencies as well as the private sector, in line with the mandate of monitoring and spearheading Midland’s contribution to the attainment of Vision 2030.

“Major service delivery issues noted during the tours include water supply and sewer reticulation challenges, potholes, poor waste management, poor street lighting and dilapidated buildings among others,” said Minister Ncube.

He, however, said he was impressed by some local authorities who have swiftly responded and are resolving these service delivery gaps such as Chirumhanzu RDC, Gweru and Kwekwe City Councils, Redcliff Municipality, Shurugwi Town Council, Tongogara RDC and Zibagwe RDC through pothole patching, road gravelling and clearance of dumpsites using own revenue.

“I directed local authorities to service access roads leading to schools, clinics, hospitals and chief’s homesteads among others,” Minister Ncube said.

“Four urban local authorities have received the funding (from Zinara) for the first quota, with two outstanding, which are Redcliff Municipality and Shurugwi Town Council. Major reasons cited for the outstanding local authorities include delays in acquittal of the disbursed funds, which I urge councils to comply with.”

He said the province was undertaking comprehensive rehabilitation of irrigation schemes, resulting in improved functionality of most schemes including Chamakudo, Mambanjeni, Chaora, Mbembeswani, Mtange and Chemahororo, which will enhance food and nutrition security in the wake of climate change, which has resulted in this year’s El Nino-induced drought.