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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Indigenous construction companies in Masvingo have been urged to prepare for the impending $1 billion dollar dualisation of the Beitbridge-Harare Highway by forming consortiums to meet stipulated requirements to undertake massive projects.

Government has since awarded the tender to dualise the highway to Austrian firm Geiger International, with the ground-breaking ceremony being held at Chaka Business Centre in May this year. Local companies are also expected to be sub-contracted in the dualisation project.

Zimbabwe Building and Construction Association provincial chairman Mr Otiniere Tavirai yesterday said most Masvingo-based construction companies lacked the capacity to do bigger projects, hence the need to join hands.

“In this province, our members do not have the capacity to do bigger projects. They need to form consortiums so that they can combine their resources and equipment to be able to do big projects,” he said.

Mr Tavirai said local companies should take advantage of the emerging projects in the province and apply for tenders.

“As we speak, there are massive projects set to commence soon in the province and local construction companies should be able to partake. The Beitbridge-Harare Highway dualisation and Tokwe Mukosi Dam irrigation development project where canals will be built to irrigate more than 25 000 hectares need to be exploited by local construction firms. My worry is that a number of companies may not be able to meet the requirements of the State Procurement Board,” he said.

Construction companies in Masvingo could also tap into the province’s share of nearly 20 state-of-the-art schools that will soon be built countrywide by Government. Mr Tavirai warned individuals or organisations with infrastructural projects against engaging unregistered contractors.