adminWalter Mswazie in Masvingo
THE business community and youths in Masvingo have raised concern over Government’s delay to start the dualisation of the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway saying this was impacting negatively on the economy of the province. Government estimated that the project will cost between $1,5 and $2 billion and was set to begin this month. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in August last year invited interested engineering firms to submit bids as part of the processes towards the commencement of the project.
Terms of references included the provision of preliminary and detailed engineering design of Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway dualisation which has been segmented into four sections.
These are Harare to Chivhu (120km), Chivhu to Masvingo (147), Masvingo to Rutenga (149) and Rutenga to Beitbridge (135km).
Zimbabwe Youth Council provincial chairman Mr Talent Chivange said once the road is dualised, it was likely to provide opportunities for youths in the area.
“The need for the dualisation of our highway needs no emphasis. We were told that the dualisation will commence by end February or beginning of March latest but there is nothing on the ground,” said Mr Chivange.
“While we are aware of the obtaining economic hardships the country is facing, Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge highway dualisation should be taken as a top priority. Once the project starts, a number of employment opportunities will be created,” he said.
Affirmative Action Group (AAG) provincial secretary Dr Fredrick Kasese said the delay on the dualisation of the road was having a negative impact on the development of the province as part of its economy depended on traffic from the road.
“As Masvingo the delay to commence work on the highway is not good.
“The Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway is a busy road and records many accidents every time especially during holidays.
“This happens because the road is narrow and yet there is high volume of traffic using the same route,” said Dr Kasese.
However, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said Government was moving with haste to attend to the project with the important modalities having been completed.
Dr Gumbo said there was considerable headway towards the implementation of the massive project expected to be completed within three years.
He said investors of the project have been sought and his ministry will issue a statement soon over the initiative.
“We have covered a lot of ground on the dualisation project. The moneys have been secured for the dualisation project which will be in three phases,” said Dr Gumbo.
Dr Gumbo said once in full swing the project will provide many employment opportunities to the youths and engineering graduates.
Online Reporter