Zimpapers Logo

Director in the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Office Mr Kudakwashe Machako cuts a ribbon during the commissioning of $400 000 road maintenance equipment at the Civic Centre yesterday. Looking on are Provincial Administrator Mr Fungai Mbetsa (with back to camera), Town Clerk Mr Adolf Gusha and Mayor Councillor Hubert Fidze

Walter Mswazie Herald Correspondent
MASVINGO City Council requires about $25 million for road rehabilitation and maintenance. This came out during the commissioning of $400 000 worth of road maintenance equipment at the Civic Centre yesterday. The machinery includes a front-end loader, motorised grader, tipper and refuse compacter. Masvingo residents contributed $3 per household for six months towards a Road Levy, which has seen the cash-strapped local authority procuring the much-needed machinery.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony yesterday, director in the Office of the Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Mr Kudakwashe Machako hailed residents for coming to the local authority’s rescue.

“Road network is an important component in the Zim-Asset’s cluster of infrastructure development.

“The local authority needs about $25 million to attend to all roads within its jurisdiction,” Mr Machako said.

“A survey carried recently revealed the city has a total road network of 257km but only four kilometres are in good shape while 153km are just but average. This translates to only 1,5 percent of the road network which is good state and that is a challenge.”

Mr Machako said council’s efforts to attend to the road network are affected by poor funding from the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration, coupled with the country’s limited fiscal space.

“However, ZINARA has improved on its disbursement following the declaration by President Mugabe that the road network issue is national disaster.

“Council instituted a Road Levy in 2015 for residents who paid $3 per household for six months rising about.

“This has seen the procurement of earth moving equipment worth $425 000 and this is a wonderful achievement,” he said.

Mr Machako said council was almost grounded following the attachment of its fleet over $3,5 million outstanding labour dispute with employees.

“Council was hiring equipment after theirs was attached over labour dispute. This was expensive for council.”