Massive roadworks to start as rainy season ends

GOVERNMENT expects to roll out massive road rehabilitation works countrywide immediately after the end of the rain season and has already set in motion procurement processes for the most targeted road projects.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister, Felix Mhona, revealed this while addressing the Senate, where he stated that the tender process has been finalised for numerous roads across all provinces.

“A number of our roads are in a sorry state because of various reasons. Again, I want to assure that we have done the procurement process for most of those roads, which is the tender process,” he said.

“We are just waiting for the rains to stop, and very soon we will see massive rehabilitation programmes taking place in those provinces, somewhere from Matabeleland South and North,” said Minister Mhona.

He specifically highlighted Government’s commitment to Matabeleland South province, which is set to host this year’s Independence celebrations.

The minister dismissed fears that road works would cease after the festivities.

“I would like to assure you that even when it comes to Matabeleland South, where we are celebrating our Independence Day, we have mobilised tremendously in that province and not necessarily for the Independence celebrations, but to remain in the province until we rehabilitate roads,” he said.

“So, it is another assurance that maybe those from Matabeleland South are saying, soon after independence, we will vacate. I want to assure the August House that we are there to stay and rehabilitate roads.”
Minister Mhona also singled out the strategic Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road, noting its potential to significantly reduce travel distances to Victoria Falls.

“Not only that province, a very important road that she touched on – the Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road, which actually cuts your journey to Victoria Falls by over 200 kilometres, especially if you are coming from here,” he said.
“So, it is a very important road that we are also working on. In a few months to come, we will be opening the first 10 kilometres of that road, coming from Lupane side and we will actually cover coming from Kwekwe, that is Silobela, then up to Lupane and also do the entire road from Nkayi to Bulawayo.”

The minister acknowledged the scale of the task ahead, saying Zimbabwe’s vast road network requires patience from the public.

“These are massive road rehabilitation programmes that are taking place but my usual humble plea to the people of Zimbabwe, there is no way we can attend to our roads at one time.

“We have got a huge network of roads and, therefore, calls for patience, which I think, if you continue indulging us, you will see us building our own country,” he said.

With the rainy season expected to end next month, citizens can expect contractors to mobilise soon after, bringing relief to motorists who have endured deteriorating road conditions across the country.