Tinaye Agere
Emmanuel Kafe
A MAJOR road rehabilitation programme targeting roads in residential areas is set to commence this week, it has been learnt.
Following work on major trunk roads, the Government’s focus has now shifted to addressing the deteriorating state of roads within residential areas.
Harare has already begun work in suburbs like Warren Park, Kambuzuma and Dzivaresekwa, where road repairs have since helped improve traffic flow. Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe told The Sunday Mail that the initiative was part of a broader urban renewal programme underway across the country.
“The Harare City Council, using their resources, has started refurbishing and maintaining many sub-arterial roads,” he said.
“Many roads are going to be built starting next week (this week) . . . we are also going to commission those that have been worked on.”
He said the road rehabilitation programme was a key component of a long-term strategy to improve the country’s landscape and connectivity.
“We have already started doing sub-arterial roads around the city, not for SADC, but for the future.
“Even after SADC, we will continue doing that,” he added.
The urban renewal programme in Harare, he said, also involves a major clean-up campaign being undertaken through Operation Chenesa Harare 2.
“We have got a beautification programme in the City of Harare, which includes the Operation Chenesa Harare 2.”
The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has since taken over key roads in Harare’s residential areas that were damaged during the construction of main roads.
In a separate interview, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport Engineer Joy Makumbe said: “We are moving to attend to all residential roads that were damaged during the construction of the main roads emanating from traffic being diverted into the roads.
“However, the responsibility to attend to the residential roads lies with the relevant road authority; therefore, these authorities must initiate the work on the roads.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development is always ready to render any support, if need be.”
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume said, with assistance from the Central Government, the local authority had started a comprehensive residential road rehabilitation programme. “With the help of the Central Government, we are able to develop the arteries,” he said.
“We have asked the Ministry of Transport to assist us with getting a new quarry and asphalt machine so that we can continuously do the artery roads and also maintain the roads that have been done to date,” he said.
Online Reporter