Siphakeme .Mnindwa
Bruce Ndlovu, Sunday News Reporter
A ground-breaking ceremony that brought together Government ministers and traditional leaders among others marked the start of work on the construction of Old Gwanda Road whose commencement is going to be preceded by the relocation of 24 graves and 42 homesteads.
Although no timelines for the exhumations and reburials have been set, the process will be done in consultation with all stakeholders in the jurisdiction of the three affected chiefs.
The development of the road is expected to improve the economic prospects of people who live and work along the 120km long corridor.
At the end of January, the Government signed a concession agreement with a local contractor, Zwane Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, paving the way for the reconstruction of the 120km road. The development came after Cabinet last year approved the US$110 million Public-Private-Partnership investment for the construction and upgrading of the road.
The project has prompted the relocation of 42 families, who will be compensated with modern, solar-powered homes. Under Chief Masuku in Matobo District, 15 homesteads, eight graves and one community borehole will be relocated to pave the way for the project.
Under Chief Mathe (Umzingwane District) 15 homesteads, two graves and a kraal will be moved while under Chief Mathema (Gwanda District) 12 homesteads, 14 graves, a shop and a bar will be relocated to accommodate construction.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony held at the site set aside for the construction of one of the homesteads in Matobo District yesterday, Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Dr Evelyn Ndlovu said the project was in line with Government’s desire to improve facilities and amenities for its citizens.
“Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to applaud the Zwane Enterprises’ initiative which definitely complements the Government of Zimbabwe’s efforts. The Construction of 126km tarred road from Gwanda to Bulawayo is a critical step towards improving connectivity and economic opportunities within the province. The construction of modern houses in rural areas is a fulfillment of National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) which speaks of improved housing delivery and social amenities. The model which will be used is meant to help improve the quality-of-life fostering community development and promoting local economies,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu said infrastructure used during construction, including boreholes that will be constructed every five kilometres along the entire stretch of the road, would benefit local communities who would inherit them once all work was done.
“These boreholes, which supply water for construction of the road will be handed to communities after the completion of the construction phase.
“The company also intends to set up a number of projects for communities and these include dairy, horticulture and fish farming projects. With a project of this kind many job and business opportunities will be created and these opportunities must first and foremost benefit people of this corridor,” she said.
Dr Ndlovu reaffirmed the Government’s desire to work closely with the private sector to improve the lives of ordinary Zimbabweans.
“As we all know the existing gravel road has outlived its lifespan and is now un-trafficable, especially during the rainy season, hence this new project will bring to ease all the challenges faced by many institutions along this road in accessing essential services in Gwanda or Bulawayo. I wish to state that the Government of Zimbabwe under the Second Republic, under the stewardship of His Excellency, Dr Mnangagwa is committed to working with the private sector in the modernisation of infrastructure and improving the economy for the well-being of its citizens,” she said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Edgar Moyo who is also the Member of Parliament for Matobo said the development would serve as an illustration of the Government’s investor-friendly stance.
“We are hopeful that the completion of the work here will result in the growth of the private sector in the country. The Government is not supposed to do everything but instead, it should be a facilitator for development with the private sector taking the lead. The construction of this road will lead to the growth of companies that supply quarry, cement and other construction materials. Villagers will get jobs. So, we should not just look on what is happening here as just a road because it will kick start an economy of its own,” he said.
Chief Masuku gave a nod to villagers who had agreed to move for the sake of the construction of the road saying their decision showed their desire to embrace the kind of development that would improve the economic fortunes of the entire province.
“We would like to thank the children of this area who have, in the interests of development, decided to move away for the construction of this road. Sometimes, it is hard for people to move from where their ancestors lived but because the children of this area here want to facilitate development, they have decided to move. For that we are eternally grateful to them,” he said.
Online Reporter