Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has disbursed more than ZiG13 million to Manicaland in the first half of 2026, funding road rehabilitation and maintenance projects across the province as Government steps up efforts to improve transport infrastructure.
The amount represents about 30 percent of the province’s annual road maintenance allocation, with the remaining 70 percent expected to be released during the second half of the year to accelerate ongoing works and address the province’s road maintenance backlog.
The funds, released between January and June, were channelled to municipalities, rural district councils, the Department of Roads and the Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (RIDA) to support road construction, maintenance and the upgrading of gravel roads to surfaced standards.
Among rural local authorities, Nyanga Rural District Council received ZiG1,34 million, representing 38 percent of its allocation, followed by Chimanimani RDC with ZiG1,3 million (37 percent), Mutare RDC with ZiG1,1 million (33 percent), Buhera RDC with ZiG896 715 (27 percent) and Makoni RDC with ZiG666 265 (20 percent).
Mutasa RDC and Chipinge RDC are yet to receive their allocations.
In urban areas, Mutare City Council received the largest disbursement of ZiG6,73 million, representing 52 percent of its annual allocation. Chipinge Town Council received ZiG927 031, while Rusape Town Council received ZiG385 242, amounting to 11 percent of its allocation.
ZINARA said the funding is already yielding visible results, citing the rehabilitation of Bridge Road in Mutare and the surfacing of the Nyabadza-Osborne Dam section of Makoni Road among key projects completed or underway in the province.
In a statement, the roads authority said road authorities nationwide had received more than ZiG4,6 billion (US$175,5 million) by June 30, representing 47,1 percent of the approved ZiG9,8 billion (US$363 million) road maintenance budget for 2026.
“The latest disbursements reflect a significant improvement compared to the same period last year, when road authorities had utilised ZiG3,3 billion (US$127 million), representing only 29 percent of the annual budget,” said ZINARA.
The authority said the Department of Roads had already received its full allocation of ZiG421,4 million (US$16 million), ensuring uninterrupted maintenance of the national road network.
RIDA has received ZiG115,1 million (US$4,4 million), equivalent to 47,3 percent of its annual allocation, to support road maintenance and rehabilitation in rural areas.
ZINARA said RIDA used part of the funds to procure 19 supervision vehicles to strengthen project monitoring and improve oversight of road works across the country.
Nationally, Manicaland ranked seventh in terms of fund utilisation at 30,3 percent. Mashonaland West led with 47,5 percent, followed by Mashonaland Central at 46,7 percent, Masvingo at 36 percent, Midlands at 35,6 percent, Matabeleland South at 35 percent and Mashonaland East at 31,1 percent.
Manicaland Provincial Roads Engineer, Engineer Raphael Sigauke, said the province’s road network remains largely trafficable following extensive maintenance works.
“We have been carrying out extensive pothole patching, grass cutting and bush clearing across the province. Our teams are continuously on the ground, ensuring the network remains in good condition. Roads are trafficable and motorists can travel without major challenges, allowing economic activities to continue unhindered,” he said.
Mutasa Rural District Council chairman, Councillor Paddington Nemaunga, said the local authority is still waiting for the release of its 2026 allocation after delays in taking delivery of a supervision vehicle procured using previous ZINARA funds.
“In 2025, we purchased a supervision vehicle using the roads fund, but delivery was delayed by the supplier. A due diligence exercise was conducted and the vehicle is now being delivered. Once acquittals are completed, we expect ZINARA to release our 2026 allocation,” he said.
Councillor Nemaunga said the council plans to acquire a motorised grader to improve road maintenance operations.
“Our current graders are old and unreliable. We have a large road network that requires urgent attention, and a new grader will significantly improve our capacity to maintain roads,” he said.
Chipinge RDC chairman, Alderman Godfrey Makuyana, said he was still making inquiries regarding the council’s allocation, while chief executive officer, Mr Blessing Mamvosha could not be reached for comment.
