Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe,Zimpapers Business Hub
The Government has re-tendered three strategic lots along the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway covering a cumulative 153 kilometres, in a move aimed at ensuring transparency in procurement processes and the comprehensive rehabilitation of the vital transport corridor ahead of major international events.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, confirmed the development in the National Assembly on Wednesday, noting that while major progress had been achieved in attending to potholes and improving traffic flow, additional segments of the highway had been put back to tender to widen participation and accelerate the overall upgrade.
“We have been attending to the entire stretch of the road, taking cognisance of the fact of COP15, the Ramsar Convention, starting from Bulawayo right up to Victoria Falls. I can testify,” said Minister Mhona.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway is a key gateway to one of the country’s most critical tourism destinations and a conduit for regional traffic.
As such, its rehabilitation is being given priority under a broader Second Republic’s infrastructure renewal agenda.
He explained that although remedial works had been carried out to make the road trafficable including pothole patching and the development of detours long-term upgrades are underway, with five contractors already on site.
“My team was seized with that road until last night (Tuesday), where we are rehabilitating the road so that it is trafficable, whilst we are working on the bigger picture of opening detours and diverting traffic to detours,” he said.
Minister Mhona emphasised that the five contractors initially engaged are not the sole implementers of the roadworks.
Additional portions had been re-tendered to ensure full coverage and adherence to Government procurement protocols.
“The five contractors on site, we are not saying these are the only ones that are going to superintend over that road. We had to re-tender on the other three lots, cumulatively up to 153 kilometres, making sure that tender procurement processes are done.
“We have gone back to tender and we have already re-tendered the three slots, making it a complete stretch, basically, from Signage 0 starting from the Main Post Office in Bulawayo, 51 kilometres consecutively, up to a 250 kilometres stretch,” said the Minister.
“Then the remaining three contractors will take us right into Victoria Falls. So, there is no portion that is going to be left behind.”
We want this road reconstructed, no patching, no rehabilitating. Beit Bridge to Victoria Falls must be a brand new road.