Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
THE implementation of the second phase of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) is progressing well in Gweru following the opening of two busy roads in Mkoba 12 and 17 suburbs which had been closed for rehabilitation.
Gweru has also embarked on the installation of street lights along Lobengula Avenue, Robert Mugabe Way and Main Street in the Central Business District using devolution funds.
Besides the reopening of Mora Mutambara and Swazi roads and fixing the street lights, the local authority has intensified the road rehabilitation exercise following heavy rains during the 2020-2021 season which left a trail of destruction.
Notable progress in road the rehabilitation exercise in the Midlands capital is taking place under the road rehabilitation programme launched by President Mnangagwa.
Council received $12 million and $11 million in the first and second phases of the road rehabilitation programme.
In an interview yesterday, GCC spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said:
“The implementation of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) is progressing well with the city of Gweru following the opening of two busy roads in Mkoba 12 and 17 suburbs Mora Mutambara and Swazi roads,” she said.
Ms Chingwaramusee said part of the money went towards road patching in the central business district and in some low- and high-density suburbs.
“Also, 20 Street lights have been put up along Lobengula avenue, Robert Mugabe way and Main Street. So far, we have put part of Lobengula and Main Street. This has cost US$60 000. The street lights are coming in handy as they also provide lighting to the traveling members of the public and the mere presence of those lights has added some ambience to the city,” she said.
The council spokesperson said they accessed the forex using devolution funds.
Ms Chingwaramusee said rehabilitation of traffic lights in the CBD was on hold since there is still a pending court case between the company that won a tender to put the solar traffic lights and council.
Motorists, she said, had been complaining about the malfunctioning traffic lights for the past two years.
Ms Chingwaramusee said the resealing of roads brings relief to motorists and transport operators as the roads had developed potholes which were blamed for a lot of vehicle breakdowns.
The rehabilitation of roads, Mrs Chingwaramusee said, has also benefited residents as the council engaged 50 contract workers.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association chairperson Mr Conilius Selupiwe said they were happy about the roads rehabilitation.
He said before the roads were rehabilitated, residents in Mkoba 12,13,16,17 and 19 were being forced to walk to other areas to get transport since Moza Mutambara and Swazi roads were no longer navigable.
“This is a welcome development for the town. Harare road into the CBD there are new streets lights and we hope this will stop muggings that were taking place in areas such Gweru River,” he said.
A Gweru resident Mrs Nicole Moyo said the streets lights and the road rehabilitation programme had brought some noticeable difference in Gweru.
“We had gotten used to staying without streets lights and a road network that was filled with potholes so this is commendable,” she said.
Online Reporter