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Walter Nyamukondiwa in ZVIPANI
Treasury has released US$10 million for the second phase of the Karoi-Binga road project under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme Phase 2 (ERRP2).
It is one of the major projects being carried out by the Second Republic.
Infrastructure development targeting roads, health facilities, schools and energy, among others, is central to Zimbabwe’s five-year economic blueprint, the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1).
The first phase of the Karoi-Binga Road ends after Zvipani Business Centre in a development that is already having positive social and economic impact on communities in the four districts of Hurungwe, Kariba, Gokwe and Binga.
The project straddles three provinces; Mashonaland West, Midlands and Matabeleland North.
A detour has already been completed for the next 10km while earth works and base construction has begun on the main road, which will run up to Chiroti Primary School.
The District Development Fund (DDF) is undertaking the project complemented by another contractor.
DDF director roads, Engineer Goodwill Mapako, said logistical challenges in getting fuel and complications with equipment hiring rates had delayed completion of the second phase.
“We are carrying out the project now under ERRP2,” said Eng Mapako.
“The funds to undertake the project have been released and we have opened a 10km detour meaning we are now working on upgrading the actual 10km.”
“We had targeted to complete the project by end of this year, but we faced challenges with high equipment hire rates. There are also challenges in getting fuel as service stations are charging in US dollars.”
An arrangement has been made with the National Oil Infrastructure Company (Noic) to get weekly allocations of fuel, but the quantity falls short of requirements. Only 30 percent of the required fuel is being availed every week under the arrangement.
Challenges in getting fuel have been affecting all road authorities, slowing down the implementation of the ERRP2.
Earth works and laying of the base on the Karoi-Binga Road is expected to be completed before commencement of the rainy season with tarring spilling over into 2022.
Communities and business owners have welcomed consistent works on the road project, saying it would have positive spin-offs for the agriculture, tourism and transportation sectors.
Already, transport costs have fallen by half since completion of the first phase, complemented by the introduction of Zupco buses.
“We have been victims of overcharging by commuter omnibus operators for a very long time, but that has since changed following tarring of the road past Zvipani,” said Mr Edmos Masocha.
The distance from Zvipani to Magunje used to cost US$4, but has now come down to US$2.
Online Reporter