Online Reporter
Rutendo Nyeve, [email protected]
The upgrading of the 12-kilometre stretch of road from Bulawayo to Khami Prison Complex at a cost of US$9 million has started.
Government recently awarded the tender to Asphalt Products to undertake the works expected to be completed by September.
The infrastructure upgrade is expected to improve connectivity and enhance logistical efficiency thereby impacting positively on economic growth.
The contractor is already on the ground and the work involves reconstruction of the badly damaged road.
Permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Engineer Joy Makumbe, said the project is wholly funded by Treasury.
“The tender for the 12km Khami Prison Complex road rehabilitation project was awarded to Asphalt Products and work on the road has already started,” she said.
Eng Makumbe said the rehabilitation of the road was expected to be completed in six months time and US$9,45 million has been availed for the project.
She said the road, which connects Khami Prison Complex to Bulawayo was very important as it is also used by farmers bringing their produce to markets in the city.
This news crew visited the site and observed that it was a hive of activity as workers from Asphalt Products were busy with preparatory works.
Motorists plying the route said they were happy that Government has availed resources to upgrade the busy road, which is in a very bad state.
“We have two roads that lead to Khami Prison Complex. There is one from Pumula suburb and passes through peri-urban areas like Robert Sinyoka and St Peters and the second one is this road being worked on, which I can say is the main one,” said a motorist, Mr Andy Mhlanga.
He said both roads are in a very bad state and they were happy that the Government has started work to upgrade one of the roads.
A Khami Prison Complex resident said the upgraded road might persuade transport operators to reduce fares.
“My husband is a prison officer and we reside at the complex.
“The challenge for us is that we board a private car, which drops us in Pumula suburb and then board a kombi to town, which is expensive.
“There is no direct public transport to this place due to the bad road. We are confident that once this road is tarred, we will have direct kombis from Bulawayo city centre to the Prison Complex.”-@nyeve14
