Zinara gets tough on municipalities

Bulilima, Gwanda and Plumtree would not get any money this year.  Karoi, Kariba and Bindura would also not get anything.
Zinara has started disbursing about $33,5 million to road authorities in the country amid revelations that some roads have totally collapsed.
The money, which is for maintenance of roads, has been increased by about $6 million from last year’s $27 million. Bulawayo is set to get $3 million and Harare $5 million.
A total of $33 537 719 will be paid out to the four road authorities, the Department of Roads, District Development Fund, rural and urban councils, starting later this month. Rural district councils (RDCs) in Matabeleland South Province are set to get $1 546 356.  Urban councils in the province, which include Beitbridge, Gwanda and Plumtree, have been allocated a total of $558 823.

Zinara would disburse $5 922 307 to Matabeleland North, with RDCs getting            $1 303 753 and urban councils receiving $402 265.
In an interview yesterday, Zinara spokesperson, Mr Augustine Moyo, lamented the lack of funding for road projects from the national budget.
He said: “This money is for routine maintenance like pothole patching and grass cutting. It is a drop in the ocean compared to the $2 billion needed to overhaul the country’s road network. The major problem we are facing is that we do not get funding from the Ministry of Finance, yet the road network needs urgent attention,” said Mr Moyo.

He said in cities like Kadoma, the entire road network had collapsed and pothole patching was no longer effective.
“Pothole patching in Kadoma and some parts of the country no longer works.
“We need to dig up these roads and start them from scratch. The money we are raising from road user charges which include vehicle licences, toll fees, transit fees, abnormal load fees, fuel levy and axle overload charges is simply not enough. Last year we raised only $80 million from the user fees. If the situation continues we may have a road network crisis within the next decade,” he said.

Mr Moyo said Zinara was exploring other ways of funding road rehabilitation to avert disaster.
“We are looking at joint ventures and loan funding. An example is the $206, 6 million project that is being financed through a loan from the Development Bank of Southern Africa to rehabilitate and upgrade an 820km stretch of highway from Plumtree to Mutare. The project is a joint venture between Zinara and South African road building experts Group

Contacted for comment on Bulawayo’s allocation, the city’s Mayor, Councillor Thaba Moyo said although the city was not yet aware of the allocation, the $3 million was welcome.
“If it is true, we are very happy.       The money will go a long way in repairing our roads. We have some roads that I cannot name  off-hand, which need to be reconstructed, while others can still do with pothole patching,” said Clr Moyo.
Matabeleland North Governor and Resident Minister Thokozile Mathuthu said the province appreciated Zinara’s efforts but was quick to add that the money  was not enough.
“We are grateful for the allocation, but we will celebrate when we finally receive the money. I can say the money can only cover general maintenance yet some roads need to be reconstructed,” said Governor Mathuthu.

She said there were a number of roads that needed total reconstruction in the province.
“Sections of the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, which has been under construction for a long time, need to be dug up and done afresh. Some parts of the Bulawayo-Tsholotsho Road and the Tsholotsho-Sipepa Road are so bad that they are virtually unusable during the rainy season,” she said.

Governor Mathuthu said Darby Road in Hwange and roads in the location were now damaging cars.
She said it would help if Zinara had the authority to allocate funds and stipulate a specific road to be repaired using the funds.
“I think we would make progress that way because there are  often squabbles among politicians when money comes. Councillors and MPs want to have a share for their respective wards and constituencies. In the end the money is spread out so thinly making insignificant impact,” said Governor Mathuthu.

The Matabeleland South Governor Angeline Masuku, could not  comment as she said she was in a meeting.
Allocations for other provinces were $3 634 626 for Midlands, $2 641 014 for Masvingo and $3 167 090 would go to Manicaland.
Mashonaland Central would receive $2 388 387, while Mashonaland East’s share would be $3 645 424 and Mashonaland West’s portion was $3 771 280.

About $2 billion is needed to rehabilitate and upgrade the country’s roads. The total road network in the country covers  about 87 654 kilometres, comprising 18 640 km of State highways, 8 194km of urban roads and 61 000 km made      up of rural roads. Most of these  roads are in a state of disrepair.

A majority of the country’s roads have outlived their average lifespan of 20 years.
A number of them were built in the 1960s and 70s and are reportedly becoming increasingly more expensive to maintain.

The deterioration of the roads accelerated from 2000 when Western countries imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe resulting in the government and councils failing to raise money to repair and maintain roads.