Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
THE Government is ready to kick-start the rehabilitation of damaged portions along the Gwanda-Manama Road as soon as the tendering process has been concluded.
This follows engagement efforts by Gwanda South legislator who is also Deputy Minister for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Omphile Marupi and other local leaders who have lobbied for timeous rehabilitation of the damaged road, especially near Mawane area.
The road is regarded as the busiest in Gwanda and links the district to Mlambapeli Border Post, irrigation schemes, Manama Hospital, cattle sales pens and connects Gwanda to Beitbridge and Kezi.
However, over the years the road has suffered severe damage, leaving motorists in despair. The severe damage has been attributed to heavy vehicles that pass through the area and heavy rains.
About 10km of the road between Garanyemba and Ntepe areas has been severely damaged while certain sections of the road up to Manama area need urgent maintenance.
Dr Marupi said the reconstruction of the strategic road is a much awaited development.
“We engaged engineers from the Ministry of Transport a few months back to come and they assessed the road to have an appreciation of the extent of damage and the urgency of the matter,” he said.
“It’s a relief that finally something is being done as the project is now at tendering stage. This is a major road and it has an influence on a number of economic activities in the district.
“We have a number of irrigation schemes that have been revived in this area. The produce from these irrigations need to be delivered to the markets and transports use this road,” said Dr Marupi.
“We also have sales pens in this constituency and for trade to take place there is need for a good road. With developments taking place in mining within the district, we have to see to it that the road is rehabilitated as soon as possible.”
Dr Marupi said the district also houses Mlambapeli Border Post, which is one of the busiest ports of entry and links Gwanda to Beitbridge and Kezi.
Matabeleland South provincial roads engineer, Mangisi Nkomo, said the project will include reconstruction of the severely damaged 10-kilometere section of the road, as well as the resurfacing of the three kilometre stretch in the Mawane area.
He said the department is committed to ensuring that the reconstruction work is initiated promptly and completed within the stipulated timeframe to enhance road safety and accessibility for the communities relying on this vital transportation route.
“It has been noted that the state of the Guyu-Manama Road has deteriorated significantly, leading to increased frustration among local communities and road users,” he said.
“Following the assessment that was conducted, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has taken decisive steps to address the issue.
“We have successfully flighted a tender for the reconstruction of the severely damaged 10 kilometre section of the road, as well as the resurfacing of the existing three kilometre stretch in the Mawane area.
“The tender process is currently underway, and we are confident that it attracted qualified contractors capable of delivering the necessary repairs efficiently,” he added,
A motorist, Mr John Sibanda from Manama area said the rehabilitation of the road will bring much relief to motorists. He said he has to travel along the road everyday, which causes damage to his vehicle.
As a result, he said he often faces challenges with authorities at roadblocks, who will be querying the road worthiness of his vehicle.
A villager, Mr Jethro Ndlovu, said they have tried several times to patch the road using sand but that has not helped as a more permanent solution is needed.
Under the Second Republic, the Government is committed to rehabilitating the road network as infrastructural development is key to attaining an upper middle-income economy by 2030.—@DubeMatutu
