Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE rehabilitation of the 12-kilometre stretch of road from Bulawayo to Khami Prison Complex at a cost of about US$9 million is now in full swing.
The Government awarded the tender to a local company, Asphalt Products, to undertake the works, expected to be completed by September this year.
The infrastructure upgrade is expected to improve connectivity and enhance logistical efficiency, thereby positively impacting economic growth.
The contractor is already busy with rehabilitation work on the ground and the project involves reconstruction of the badly damaged road.
So bad was the Khami Prison access road that motorists, including commuter omnibuses, had abandoned the route and were now using another route that passes through Robert Sinyoka Village from Pumula Old suburb, another equally bad road.
The project is wholly funded by the Government, through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (Zinara), which set aside US$9 million for the completion of the project, one of the several priority road works in the region that include the
Bulawayo-Nkayi Road rehabilitation project.
Yesterday, our news crew went to the site and found the contractor busy with upgrade works and construction of detours for smooth operations on the other end of the access road that links the city with the country’s second-largest correctional facility.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, said the project is still under the projected timeline and that the contractor was expected to meet the September deadline.
“The tender for the 12km Khami Prison Complex Road rehabilitation project was awarded to Asphalt Products and work on the road has already started at a cost of US$9,5 million. We expect the project to be complete within the six-month timeline,” she said.
Horticulture farmers use the route to bring their produce into Bulawayo, while Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services members and their families who reside at the sprawling Khami Prison Complex also use the access road to and from the city.
Some residents from Pumula Old and Robert Sinyoka also access medical services from the Khami Prison Complex Clinic, which is open to not only ZPCS members and their immediate families, but also villagers from nearby settlements who collect medication such as Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs for HIV treatment and prevention.
The Zimpapers news crew observed a hive of activity as workers from Asphalt Products were busy with the upgrade works, while others were constructing detours.
The contractor has also fenced off a portion of land where equipment is kept and construction workers are put up for the night in tents.
A commuter omnibus driver, Mr Prince Mpofu, who plies the route, said they were happy that the Government has expedited the rehabilitation project of the busy road, which is in a very bad state.
“Khami Prison can be accessed via two routes, with the first one being the one that starts in Pumula Old and passes through Robert Sinyoka and the St Peter’s area,” said Mr Mpofu.
“That route is not in a good condition but is trafficable compared to the main route that passes next to the Nkulumane Complex and part of Pumula South suburb.
“The route where construction is underway is the shortest from the city centre, but was in such a bad state that only trucks and buses could navigate on the road. It was a nightmare for smaller cars.”
