Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo [email protected]
GOVERNMENT has awarded two contractors tenders to rehabilitate a 15-kilometre stretch of the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road, with each contractor allocated 7.5km of road works.
The development is part of Government’s efforts to improve the road network and enhance connectivity between Bulawayo and Matabeleland North.
Briefing Matabeleland North Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Richard Moyo on Friday ahead of the launch of the community-driven Tsholotsho Road Rehabilitation Initiative, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development engineer Mr Peace Harare said the contractors were expected to commence work soon.
“The two contractors were appointed in terms of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act. They will do the road works over 15km from Bulawayo towards Nyamandlovu,” said Eng Harare.
The rehabilitation is expected to improve the condition of the road, which is a key link between Bulawayo and Tsholotsho, while supporting the movement of people and goods along the route.
Eng Harare said the allocation of the works to two contractors would ensure that the targeted stretch was worked on concurrently, helping to expedite the rehabilitation programme.
The community-driven initiative is also expected to complement Government’s broader road rehabilitation programme, which seeks to address deteriorating road infrastructure across the country.
This road leads to Tsholotsho Hospital and to Bulawayo. Can one imagine an ambulance negotiating this road carrying an emergency case? Most roads that lead or come from rural hospitals are in similar conditions. One such road leads to or from Makumbe Mission hospital in Domboshava. It’s so terrible any seriously ill person is guaranteed of dying in transit. Meanwhile we pride ourselves with good roads around the new parliament where nobody hardly use. Government priorities are so wrong!!