New life for Harare roads

At least 600km of road network in Harare will be rehabilitated following Government’s availing of an US$11 million package to the local authority.

The funds are being availed under the Emergency Road Fund.

Rehabilitation of road networks is already underway in most residential suburbs with the programme expected to run until the onset of rains this year.

Harare’s 7 000km road network had not had meaningful routine maintenance over the last 15 years.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo said, “As Government we disbursed the first tranche of the funds under phase one and we did it through the Ministry of Local Government and it disburses to local authorities. But for the City of Harare we have been assisting them directly with funds in terms of roads (maintenance).” Government intends to raise US$100 million for the road emergency rehabilitation programme through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration Bond for urban and rural authorities over the next two years.

Harare City Council director of works Engineer Philip Pfukwa said they were prioritising residential suburbs where damage was most severe.

“We received US$11,1 million from Government under the Emergency Road Fund,” he said. “We expect to rehabilitate over 600 km of road network until the onset to of rains this year. Work has already began in most residential suburbs in the city.”

In January 2017, Government declared the country’s roads a state of disaster following damage by incessant rains.