Chronicle Editor
Sukoluhle Ndlovu, Sunday News Correspondent
Midlands Province has received almost $1 billion from the Government’s Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme aimed at restoring roads in the province that were damaged by heavy rains received this season.
Speaking at a Provincial Chief’s Assembly meeting held in Gweru, Midlands Minister of State and Devolution Affairs Larry Mavima said the money will be shared among all districts in the province.
“The Government has given us money amounting to $941 million for the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme for resurfacing roads that were damaged by heavy rains this season. The money will be shared among all the eight districts in the country,” he said.
He commended the Government for the allocation of funds, saying the money will go a long way in improving road infrastructure in the province.
“I would like to applaud the Central Government for this gesture. We are grateful for the funds and we hope they will be put into good use by responsible authorities. The road rehabilitation process has started and is going very well,” he said.
Minister Mavhima implored responsible authorities to always include traditional leaders in making decisions pertaining to rehabilitation of roads.
“When carrying our rehabilitation projects, local authorities and the District Development Fund (DDF) are encouraged to always consult traditional leaders on which roads to rehabilitate first, as they know their areas better.
Inclusivity is always the key in carrying out developmental projects in various districts. Always make sure that you include chiefs in making decisions pertaining to the development of their areas,” he said.
Due to the bad state of roads around the country that were damaged by heavy rains, the Government initiated a three-phase approach to repair the severely damaged roads. Some of the roads have deteriorated over the years due to poor maintenance by local authorities. A total of ZWL$33,6 billion has been set aside for countrywide Emergency Roads Rehabilitation Programme that will run for three years.
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