Conrad Mwanawashe : Business Reporter

THE Zimbabwe National Roads Authority is targeting a number of partnerships to push through future infrastructure projects earmarked to create world class road network in the country. To achieve development of world class road infrastructure, Zinara has entered into a number of synergies, Public Private Partnerships and courting local authorities.“Zinara is at the epicentre of infrastructure development in Zimbabwe and it is our vision to leverage on the existing synergies and partnerships and create value to our shareholder, the Government by creating a world class road infrastructure,” Zinara chief executive officer Moses Juma.

Zinara expects the synergies to collectively mobilise resources to rebuild the country’s road network. But still, the country needs more investment in infrastructure.

The authority’s strategy is a response to the dilapidation in road infrastructure which Deputy Minister for Transport and Infrastructural Development Eng Michael Madanha said was past natural life.

“Zimbabwe is in need of investment in infrastructure and in particular roads and energy sectors.

“Our roads now require periodic maintenance as they are past their lifespan. They now need total rehabilitation and that requires new capital,” said Eng Madanha.

He said about $5 billion was required to fund the infrastructure development rehabilitation.

The projects are expected to be financed through the Treasury, funding from development partners and through the PPPs.

Mr Juma said projects being planned include tolling, road construction, solar street lighting and solar traffic lights.

“Like for solar, we are one of the first countries in the world to develop a solar powered tollgate. So let’s use what we have to make what we need. For example when we did the airport road project, it was funded 100 percent using local resources and also 100 percent using local engineers.

“For us as Zinara, we take road development as a divine mandate and Zinara, our strategic national mandate is that of harnessing resources for the road funds which we will disburse to road authorities who intern develop and maintain the roads. Our key mandate is to monitor each of those resources,” said Mr Juma.

From the past synergies, Zinara has seen an increase in tollgate revenue by over 60 percent and vehicle licensing fees by over 300 percent.

The road authority also computerised 90 state-of-the-art tollgates which are 100 percent solar.

Other successful partnerships include working with several banks including Zimpost, Cbz, Steward Bank, NMB, Agribank on vehicle licence fees and running arrangements with all the 60 rural district councils and all the 33 urban councils.

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