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Masvingo Bureau
Chivi Rural District Council has embarked on a massive road rehabilitation programme and has set its sights on sprucing up at least 1 000km of road network within a four-month period, an official has said.

Chivi district engineer Ronald Mashapa said most of the projects, which have already begun, are now 70 percent complete.

He said the local authority has also developed residential stands for 300 housing units at Chivi Growth Point, while work on 400 housing units at Chivi turn-off is also underway.

“We have embarked on rehabilitating a number of roads in the district, starting with resurfacing of a 1,65km stretch at Chivi Growth Point.

“The surfacing project is costing us about $200 000 and we expect it to be complete in four weeks time,” said Engineer Mashapa.

“We are doing this project in partnership with one contractor who is providing own equipment,” he said.

Eng Mashapa said the local authority plans to finish at least 80 percent of its projects within its 100-day timeline.

“We are rehabilitating Mupangamuri-Mushayi Road in Ward 19, which is 10km long.

“We are also grading Shashe-Mukotosi Road, which is 58km. We are also rehabilitating the 17km stretch of Vundembe Road in Ward 17.

“We are targeting to rehabilitate at least 1 000km of road network in four months time or achieve at least 80 percent of our target, within the 100-day plan.

“This is in line with President Mnangagwa’s clarion call on a new socio-economic and development agenda,” he said.

Council, he said, was working on completing the connection of piped water to 400 residential stands at Chivi Growth Point.

The local authority is presently waiting for the approvals to develop another four hectares of land at Chivi turn-off into housing stands.

Eng Mashapa, however, bemoaned lack of adequate equipment for road rehabilitation and maintenance.