Online Reporter
Victor Maphosa-Mashonaland East Bureau
THERE is notable progress in the upgrade of Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe Road in Mashonaland East Province, with the contractor now working on completing the second phase of roadworks.
Masimba Holdings was contracted to upgrade this road from Felis Business Centre to Mushandirapamwe Business Centre and is carrying out the work in phases.
Phase 1 of the work was completed, and the upgraded stretch has since been opened to traffic.
Part of the stretch of about 11 km done on phase 2 was also opened to traffic, and now the contractor is left with 3 km to complete phase 2, and then commence with the third phase of 11 km, which will mean the road will be upgraded up to Mushandirapamwe Business Centre.
Already, the contractor had finished opening a detour on the last 3 km of the second phase, and now road works have started.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East, Advocate Itayi Ndudzo, toured this road to assess progress.
Adv Ndudzo commended the Government for the development, adding that Hwedza-Mushandirapamwe Road is key to economic activities in the province. He also applauded the contractor for the progress.
“I came here to see for myself road works being done along this road. This road is important to us; it connects our provincial capital, Marondera, with two districts which are Hwedza and Chikomba,” Adv Ndudzo said.
“The road also connects the province with our national capital, Harare, through Marondera as well as through Hwedza.
“Through this road, the province easily connects with Manicaland Province. As you know, it has been long since this road had been rehabilitated, but since the Second Republic took over, tremendous progress has been witnessed.
“It did not take much time to see progress on the upgrade of this road, and already a long stretch has been completed and opened to motorists. More than 20 km have been completed.
“This road is being done in phases. The contractor is now on the second phase and has assured us that by the end of July they should complete the remaining stretch, which means phase three will commence,” Adv Ndudzo said.
He said the completion of this road is important, and the people of Hwedza are excited about it.
Adv Ndudzo also thanked the government for other road projects across Mashonaland East Province.
Peter Tanyanyiwa