Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in Midlands
People in the Midlands Province have been assured by the Government that massive road rehabilitation projects being undertaken will be completed soon to enhance connectivity as well as boost economic activity, a move which has been hailed by motorists and communities.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, last Friday led senior Government officials on a tour of road rehabilitation projects that the Government is undertaking in Midlands Province to assess progress made so far.
The tour was undertaken along the Kwekwe-Gokwe and Gokwe-Nembudziya roads and the Gokwe-Tshoda road (Jahana area), where some of the projects are almost complete.
Minister Felix Mhona was accompanied by Mr Edgar Seenza, the Provincial Affairs and Devolution Permanent Secretary for Midlands who was representing Midlands Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister, Owen Ncube, chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Tawanda Karikoga, Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Flora Buka, Zinara vice board chairperson Commissioner (Rtd) Felie Chikowero-Mjanga, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe vice board chairperson Ms Lizwe Bhunu and TSCZ managing director Mr Munesu Munodawafa, among other senior Government officials.
In an interview, Minister Mhona assured that all the roads will be rehabilitated and completed in the province.
He said President Mnangagwa wanted to ensure that no one and no place was left behind in terms of the road rehabilitation projects, which are ongoing countrywide.
“The ministry is under the wise leadership of His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, who is championing development across the nation, and we are glad as a ministry that we are running with that mandate,” he said.
“And on top of our dashboard, we had rural constituencies, where we were not just talking of rehabilitating roads in great cities, but we are here today in the Nembudziya area, an area that no one could think of as having an asphalt overlay.
“And we are standing on top of an asphalt overlay today, celebrating the visionary leader, Comrade Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s mantra, that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
“And we are happy showcasing what we can do. And with the advent of the Second Republic, we have seen that we have actually been to every corner of the nation, and today we are here just to monitor the works. And we are quite pleased that the contractor who was rehabilitating this section is done now.”
Minister Mhona said from Midlands Province, the Government wanted to make sure that they connect the roads to other towns and cities.
“But above all, we also need to connect to other cities. From here, we need to connect to Harare via Kadoma, and we have done the tender procurement for that extension. Not only that, even to Gokwe Centre we have done the tender again.
“And the message that we have delivered to the electorate, they were so excited, knowing that they have got a listening leader, Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa. And precisely, this is what we are running with as a ministry. Gone are the days when we would stay in offices. We are here to demonstrate the work ethic of the Second Republic.”
Gokwe Nembudziya legislator Flora Buka said the rehabilitation projects being undertaken in the province were going to improve economic development.
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development, Cde Tawanda Karikoga also said following the rehabilitation of some of the major roads in the area, there was now an increase in transport movements since most operators had been shunning the area.
He added that some of the transport operators had also reduced their fares for the benefit of the commuting public.
Midlands Provincial Roads Engineer Stephen Kamutema emphasised the road’s significance as a vital link in the Midlands, being the shortest route connecting the provincial capital, Gweru, to the two Gokwe districts. Gokwe North and Gokwe South.
The Government has so far completed construction of a 40km stretch along the Kwekwe-Gokwe road, a key upgrade enhancing durability and safety for all road users.
The Gokwe-Nembudziya road construction project, specifically the Kuwirirana-Nembudziya section, was recently completed with surfacing and road marking works done at the Nembudziya Growth Point.
This phase is part of a broader initiative to improve infrastructure and connectivity in the Gokwe area, supporting economic growth and development.
The project was undertaken by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. The project aims to improve road infrastructure in the Gokwe area, with a focus on enhancing connectivity and access to services. This includes the section from Kuwirirana to Nembudziya.
The improved road is expected to facilitate travel, enhance safety, and boost economic activity in the region and the project aligns with national goals for infrastructure development and is part of a larger effort to improve road networks across Zimbabwe.
For example, the Headlands-Mayo-Mutoko road project is also underway, highlighting the Government’s commitment to infrastructure development.
