Chronicle Editor
Thandeka Moyo-Ndlovu, Senior Reporter
GOVERNMENT is expecting to reach its Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) targets, as the programme is moving at an impressive pace and is already touching lives in the Matabeleland region.
The programme has been picking pace from its launch in March and progress has been registered in different parts of the country.
In Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, ERRP has not only created jobs but eased the burden that residents go through when transporting their goods to eke a living.
The US$400 million ERRP, which was launched by President Mnangagwa in March, is running countrywide and is premised on the fact that roads are the networks that promote beneficial social and economic activities through ensuring a smooth flow of goods and services.
The ERRP is part of a myriad of infrastructural development programmes that Government has instituted to contribute towards achieving Vision 2030 of having an upper middle-income economy.
According to ERRP, 840km of roads across the country will be rehabilitated and reconstructed while 8 340km will be regravelled, with 17 093km set to be regraded this year.
As of June 2021, the programme had seen 23,6km rehabilitated and 12km resealed, 421km re-gravelled while 2947km was graded.
63 drainage structures were constructed or repaired across road authorities and 27 wash aways reclaimed so far.
Speaking after a ERRP working party tour of Bulawayo and Matabeleland North yesterday, the deputy chief secretary responsible for programmes and projects in the office of the President and Cabinet Reverend Paul Damasane said he was happy with progress so far.
He said the visionary ERRP had improved many livelihoods and Government remains committed to meeting its targets.
“On March 15 this year, our President declared a state of disaster regarding our roads and a committee was formed to ensure they are rehabilitated to improve livelihoods. We are happy that our Government has kept its word as witnessed by progress we have seen in Bulawayo and Umguza,” said Rev Damasane.
“We started in Bulawayo to tour the road works there and we are happy that CMED is doing something for the residents who for a long time had bad roads. Even in Umguza, we are happy that our people have taken up this project and complement the Government in its vision to rehabilitate all roads and construct bridges since we are awaiting the rainy season.”
He said many people in Umguza District, especially in Ntabazinduna, live off horticulture and a good road network is essential for their livelihood.
Matabeleland North provincial roads engineer, Steven Kamutema said he was confident that rains will not cause too much damage on the roads as much work has been done on some of them.
“We are happy as Matabeleland North that the Government has availed more funding for the rehabilitation of roads. This will enable us to continue working on these roads which could have been washed away during the forthcoming rainy season,” he said.
“Livelihoods will change indeed as this project has also created employment for our villagers who are working hard to meet targets. We are happy with the progress made so far,” he said.
Bulawayo City Council’s director of engineering, Engineer Simela Dube said: “We have started and continue working hard to rehabilitate our roads. So far, we have completed a number, for example, the 1,2km stretch along Doncaster Road in Belmont is complete we are left with markings. Funding has been availed and together with Zinara and CMED, we will rehabilitate as many roads as possible as residents deserve better services.”
Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Minister Judith Ncube and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr Nick Mangwana were part of the ERRP working party tour. — @thamamoe
Online Reporter