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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Delays in the commencement of the Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway dualisation project have become a major concern for people in the province who are anticipating economic benefits from the massive project. Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Alliance spokesperson Mr Godfrey Mutimba said residents were concerned with the continued delay of the dualisation project, calling on Government to speed the dualisation project.

“As representatives of Masvingo residents, we are concerned with the continued delays on the commencement of the dualisation of Beitbridge–Harare Highway,” Mr Mutimba said.

“The highway is claiming a lot of lives through road traffic accidents and that seriously needs attention. The dualisation plan came as a welcome development, but now it is taking long before its commencement despite the Government assurance that it was going to start by end of September.”

Masvingo Community Working Group on Health chairperson Mrs Entrance Takaidza also said: “The delay is affecting the province as a number of unemployed youths are also willing to be part of the 300 000 people earmarked for employment in the project.”

Government has said the dualisation project is expected to create about 300 000 jobs for the local people once it has commenced.

“As a health pressure group, we are also affected by the delay of the road dualisation project,” said Mrs Takaidza. “We are made to believe that once the project has started, about 300 000 people will get employment and if more people are employed, it means more contributions to the Aids Levy. Besides, if people start earning some income it will improve their living standards.” Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joram Gumbo said contractor Geiger International of Austria was on the ground doing some engineering work before the actual work commenced.

“The problem with everyone is that you are only looking for the actual construction work, yet a lot is done before that stage,” he said. “The contractor’s engineers are on the ground in Masvingo doing some surveys along the Beitbridge-Harare Highway.

“They started work since July 4, they have been on the ground for over two months now.” Minister Gumbo said there were stages that preceded the actual road construction. Geiger International is leading the project, although Government has negotiated a 40 percent stake in the project, which will see Zimbabwean companies taking part in the construction works.