Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
THE Government has unveiled an Infrastructure Fund dedicated towards rehabilitation of roads and bridges across Zimbabwe, with works expected to commence soon.
Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Felix Mhona, revealed this in Parliament last week, where he outlined the Government’s comprehensive strategy to address the damage caused by heavy rains and to tackle the nation’s broader infrastructure challenges.
The new Infrastructure Fund emerges as a crucial intervention following extensive consultations between the
Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion.
The fund is designed to mobilise resources specifically for the rehabilitation of roads and construction of damaged bridges, marking a pivotal step in addressing the country’s infrastructure deficit.
Minister Mhona has said the rehabilitation efforts will be rolled out under the theme of ‘Road Rehabilitation Programme 2’.
The intervention will see the resumption of works across the country, with both urban and rural councils, alongside the Department of Roads, playing a key role in the implementation.
A key focus will be on completing all stalled projects, ensuring that no ongoing work is left unfinished. Minister
Mhona acknowledged the dual-edged nature of the recent wet season.
“We indeed had good rains, but this was a disadvantage too because roads and bridges were damaged. When we look at the amount of money allocated to us, this money is too little to cater for all roads that were damaged,” he said.
“We sat down as the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and the Ministry of Finance, Economic
Development and Investment Promotion and discussed ways of mobilising resources to rehabilitate our roads and bridges.
“I am happy to inform you that we now have an Infrastructure Fund to cater for this problem of road rehabilitation and construction of damaged bridges. Starting from this week, we will resume the rehabilitation of our roads under the theme of Road Rehabilitation Programme 2, with our urban and rural councils and the Department of Roads.
“This will cover a lot of bridges and roads. You will begin to see improvements. All projects that were not completed will be completed; we call these projects ‘stalled projects’,” said Minister Mhona.
He underscored the impact of heavy vehicles in the degradation of the road network and reiterated the Government’s commitment to promoting the use of rail transport to preserve the country’s roads.
The minister said enforcement by the Vehicle Inspection Department (VID) is being strengthened to catch transporters who overload the roads.
To further alleviate pressure on the road network, the Government is encouraging private companies, including those in the mining sector, to partner with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ).
The Mutapa Investment Fund is also overseeing the revival of the NRZ, with efforts underway to save money for rolling stock such as wagons.
The Minister highlighted Zimbabwe’s advantage.
“Our railway is there, but in other countries, you would have to construct. Here in our country, we have got our strong railway,” he said.
Minister Mhona reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to improving the railway network to ensure that more goods are transported by rail rather than road, a move expected to significantly extend the lifespan of the newly rehabilitated roads.
