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Herald Correspondent
WHEN Government, through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, contracted Bitumen World to commence rehabilitation work on the Tanganda-Checheche-Ngundu road, it brought a sense of relief and joy to motorists, farming residents, traders and transporters alike who were led to believe that the entire road would be resurfaced quickly and without delay.

Unbeknown to users of the road, however, the rehabilitation work was to be staggered by Government. With the first phase between Tanganda and Middle Sabi nearing completion, Government has yet to set the ball in motion for the repair of the second and most important stretch of road between Middle Sabi and Checheche.

This particular stretch of road is strategic and of national importance for various reasons. National Assembly member for Chipinge South Cde Enock Porusingazi recently noted that the road was situated within a strategic zone and that it was one of the busiest roads in the country.

Indeed, with Birchenough Bridge closed to heavy haulage vehicles, there is no alternative route for haulage vehicles transporting goods from South Africa to Malawi and Mozambique, as well as for those vehicles transporting goods and commodities from the south-eastern region. This includes farmers and fuel companies collecting ethanol from Green Fuel’s Chisumbanje ethanol plant. Thus the rehabilitation and driveability of this stretch of road is logistically essential.

With the unavoidable use of this road by traders and transporters, coupled with the deteriorating state of the road between Middle Sabi and Checheche, many motorists and roadside residents are now wondering why Government, knowing that the rehabilitation of the road was going to be staggered, did not give priority to this stretch of road first. It is, without doubt, the most strategic, yet the most dilapidated and dangerous section of the road.

Chief Mutema, when hearing the news about the road between Middle Sabi and Checheche, stated that the Government, through Bitumen World, had done a very good job on the road between Tanganda and Middle Sabi he, however, urged the Government to urgently redress the issue and ensure that work continues on the remainder of the A10 road rehabilitation.

Mr Sithole, a resident who farms between Middle Sabi and Checheche, called on Government to allow the contractor to continue the rehabilitation work. He noted that he had driven the road between Tanganda and Middle Sabi and was impressed with not only their work on the road but also the clearing of the roadside which would assist motorists and prevent the unnecessary loss of livestock to the community.

Voicing the concern of most residents, he went on to state that driving the road between Middle Sabi and Checheche was like “vavekuita sokufamba mumunda wezvimbambaira” (driving through a mine field) and that Government needs to act urgently to prevent further loss of life and damage to property.