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Freedom Mupanedemo
Midlands Bureau
The first 10km stretch of the Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Highway was commissioned yesterday as part of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme as the Second Republic continues to push its national infrastructural development agenda.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony yesterday, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona, was pleased with the progress being made on fixing up the highway network.
“I’m happy with the progress. This shows that through our local firms and contractors, we are on the right track towards achieving the envisaged upper middle-income economy by the year 2030,” he said
The Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Highway is about 43km, with the contractors now working on the next stages.
Minister Mhona said his ministry was rehabilitating most of the major highways to facilitate smooth movement of traffic.
“The President is on record saying no one and no place will be left behind in our development agenda. We are working on improving most of the roads across the country,” he said.
Local people said they were happy that the major road that links Midlands and Masvingo was being rehabilitated.
“We are happy that the 10km has been opened to the public. This shows that the Government is making significant improvements towards achieving the goals of national development strategy,” said Mr Baron Chiyenga.
“The road was badly potholed with many travellers using the longer Zvishavane route,” he said.
Shurugwi South Member of Parliament Wilson Mhuri said the project has created job and business opportunities for the local people living along the highway.
“The road has opened positive economic spin-offs in this constituency. Our local youths have been employed and more so business in the area is booming,” he said
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter