Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba in VICTORIA FALLS
A TOUR by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development to assess progress on the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation project ended today, with contractors assuring the Government they are working hard to meet set deadlines.
Eight contractors are working on the 440-kilometre highway, with 47,5km of road so far completed and opened to traffic.
Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona led a delegation comprising Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North province Richard Moyo, Matabeleland North provincial roads engineer Xolani Ncube and other senior Government officials.
In an interview, Minister Mhona said the purpose of the tour was to assess whether contractors were on site and progressing with their work.
President Mnangagwa, he said, had directed that the highway be completed as soon as possible for the benefit of motorists and visitors.
“I am happy with the works that I have witnessed,” said Minister Mhona.
“Works are progressing well, and by the end of this year, the road will be completed up to Victoria Falls.”
Minister Moyo said Matabeleland North province was happy with the ongoing works.
“We are happy as a province and we want to thank His Excellency President Mnangagwa,” he said.
“There are eight contractors and if what they promised us, that after one month they will be done with 10km each, then we will have 80km after one month. So, I think they are making good progress.”
The Bulawayo–Victoria Falls Road rehabilitation is part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 launched to modernise the country’s road network.
Once complete, the highway is expected to improve road safety, reduce travel time between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls and strengthen Zimbabwe’s position as a regional logistics and tourism hub.
It is a critical trade and tourism corridor linking Zimbabwe with Zambia, Namibia and Botswana.
Initially, five contractors — Fossil Contracting, Masimba Holdings, Syvern Investment, Bitumen Resources and Tensor Systems — were awarded contracts to rehabilitate sections of the road.
Government later added three more contractors for Lots 6, 7 and 8, covering the final approaches to Victoria Falls to speed up completion of the project.
The rehabilitation, expected to be completed this year, aims to restore the road to standards that support the free flow of goods, tourism traffic and regional trade.
Tinaye Agere