Zimpapers Logo

Rumbidzayi Zinyuke Manicaland Bureau
GOVERNMENT is considering extending the contracts of companies rehabilitating roads and bridges affected by Cyclone Idai last year to include new works following remarkable progress that has been made in the last nine months.

Work on almost all projects commissioned last year under the Cyclone Idai recovery project is expected to be complete within the next two months while new works are expected to commence soon to meet the deadline as well.

GR Goddard, Masimba Construction, Exodus and Company, Bitumen World and Fossil Investments are some of the companies that were awarded contracts to repair the road network in Chimanimani.

Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Joel Biggie Matiza yesterday toured Chimanimani District to assess progress on the works being done.

He expressed satisfaction with the work done hinting that Government was considering extending GR Goddard’s contract to include a 6km stretch of road from Biriiri 2 Bridge to Skyline.

“The works are going on very well given the challenges posed by the Covid-19 national lockdown, which has slowed down progress a bit.

However, contractors are all on site and those that had gone off-site have resumed work. Goddard is almost done with all projects assigned to them and we are considering extending their contract to cover certain works on the 6km stretch remaining from Biriiri 2 to Skyline,” he said.

Minister Matiza also commended Masimba Construction for the work being done from Skyline to Chimanimani town.

He said all outstanding works were minor and could be completed within the set time-frames.

Government recently gave Bitumen World another contract to cover the 21km Kopa-Jopa Road linking Rusitu valley to the rest of the district. Work on that road started last week.

“Bitumen has done some good work and we gave them the Kopa-Jopa road and we expect that road to be done soon. We expect all contractors to wrap up their works within two months and then we will have a proper handover after that,” he added.

The construction of the road is expected to transform the economy of the Rusitu Valley and the whole of Chimanimani, which is mainly hinged on a good road network to transport fruits and vegetables produced there.