State of Disaster extended for Zim’s roads

Business Writer

President Mnangagwa has extended the State of Disaster country’s road infrastructure network until December 2026, in a development that will give the Government additional time to fix the country’s dilapidated roads.

The initial declaration was announced in February 2021 to address the critical condition of roads across the country, both in rural and urban areas.

While there have been some rehabilitation efforts under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), the extent of the damage warrants additional time to fully repair the roads and suggests that the situation remains dire and requires continued emergency measures.

The extension of the State of Disaster is outlined in Statutory Instrument 151 of 2024, titled Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Rural and Urban Areas of Zimbabwe) (Road Infrastructure Network) (Amendment Notice, 2024 (No. 1).

“Whereas His Excellency the President declared a State of Disaster in connection with the excessive damage to the road infrastructure network, a state of disaster exists in all rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe, on 23rd February, 2021, by Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021…and whereas it has become necessary to extend the declaration of the said State of Disaster for a further period to 31 December, 2026 . . . His Excellency the President, in terms of the proviso to section 27(2) of the Civil Protection Act [Chapter 10:06], by this declaration extends the operation of Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021 to the 31st December, 2026.

Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure, both in urban and rural areas, is currently in a state of severe disrepair.
Potholes, cracks, and other defects have become commonplace, posing significant risks to motorists and hindering economic activity.

The ERRP was implemented through a combination of Government resources and the private sector.

The Government allocated significant funds to the programme, while private companies also contributed to rehabilitation efforts.

Despite facing challenges such as limited resources and the vastness of Zimbabwe’s road network, the ERRP has made significant progress in improving the country’s road infrastructure. More than 50 000 kilometres of roads have been rehabilitated, resulting in improved road conditions and reduced travel times.

However, the programme’s long-term sustainability remains a concern, as ongoing maintenance and investment will be required to ensure the continued improvement of Zimbabwe’s road network.

There has also been concern over the use of national budget resources to fund the ERRP, which is term in nature.

Contractors, after being paid in local currency, have been accused of contributing to currency depreciation by offloading their Zimbabwean dollars on the black market, thus exerting downward pressure on the domestic currency.