Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo
FOSSIL Engineering, which is working on the first 51km of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls will open the first six kilometre tarred patch on Sunday with the second nine kilometre set to be opened to traffic mid-February next year.
The contractor says it remains on course to open complete its contractual agreement of 51km by September next year.
Speaking during a media tour organised by the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara) on Thursday morning, Fossil Engineering’s Engineer Kudakwashe Maguta told the Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo, Ministry of Transport and Infrustractural Development permanent secretary Engineer Joy Makumbe, Zinara board Chairperson Dr George Manyaya, chief executive officer Mr Nkosinathi Ncube and other senior government officials from the Ministry agencies that the 6km stretch is a double seal.
“By mid-February we will have 15km open to traffic. The previous road width was 7 metres but we are extending it to 10 metres of which nine metres will be tarred while 0.5metres on each side of the road, which we call shoulders will be on gravel,” said Eng Maguta.
In line with a Government directive that contractors must prioritise employment of locals around their areas of construction, Eng Maguta revealed that a small portion of their 120 employees on sight were not locals and were mainly skilled workers such as machine operators.
“What is also key to mention is that overally, 30 percent of our total employees are female,” said Eng Maguta
