Midlands road construction shelved

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
CONSTRUCTION of a number of roads in Midlands has been temporarily stopped due to lack of funds, it has been learnt.

A number of road construction projects were underway in most parts of the province as part of the Government’s drive to upgrade infrastructure and improve access to areas.

Among the projects that have been stopped include the Kwekwe-Nkayi Road which is set to provide the shortest link between Harare and Victoria Falls, reducing the distance by more than a 100 kilometres when complete. The project is also expected to bring development to Silobela, Nkayi and Kwekwe among other places. Other projects that have been stopped include the Mberengwa-Sesame, Mberengwa-West Nicholson as well as the Gokwe-Siabuwa roads.

In an interview, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development Midlands provincial Engineer Denis Mafurira said only routine maintenance were being carried out.

“Currently all construction projects in the province are suspended. We are only carrying out routine maintenance and surfaced roads although we are lagging behind on the maintenance work due to lack of funding,” he said.

The province which requires about $40 million for the completion of the projects last received money from Government last year in June leaving the construction work in limbo. Eng Mafurira said most roads in the province especially in rural areas have become impassable due to lack of rehabilitation.

The province last received $19 million from Government in June last year which targeted the three main projects as well as the rehabilitation work.