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Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
GOVERNMENT has accelerated road construction and maintenance works in Mashonaland West province after Treasury expeditiously released funds for the projects to ensure the realisation of President Mnangagwa’s pledge on infrastructure development.

The projects current underway include rehabilitation of various stretches along the Harare-Gweru-Bulawayo and Harare-Chirundu Highways.

The major exercise is the nearly 10 kilometre stretch along the Harare-Gweru Highway starting from Karina-Norton to the Tollgate.

Other projects include resurfacing of sections of the Harare-Chirundu Highway starting from Mt Hampden while feasibility studies have been carried out for the Makuti-Chirundu stretch.

The major road project will involve widening of a 15 kilometre stretch that includes the dangerous Wafa Wafa steep and winding section.

In an interview recently, Mashonaland West provincial roads Engineer Finale Mapurisa, the release of funds by Government had triggered the road works.

“Government has been expeditiously releasing funds for the projects since the coming in of the new dispensation and that has assisted us in ensuring that work is done in the shortest possible time,” he said.

“Of major concern, however, has been the unavailability of heavy equipment such as dozers which are needed during construction of the roads.”

Eng Mapurisa said it was their hope that projects earmarked for this year would be completed on time.
Government has released more than $8 million for the 10km stretch of the Harare-Gweru Road out of about $12,8m budgeted for the project this year.

This has seen the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development starting work on the second phase of the project commencing from the Norton Tollgate.

“Initially the project was supposed to be complete by November 2018, but because of timeous release of funds we are now looking at completing the first phase of the project by mid-August,” Eng Mapurisa said.

Other projects to be undertaken this year include rehabilitation of the Mapinga-Mutorashanga being funded by Mimosa Mines.

The resealing of the Selous-Ngezi Road funded by Zimplats is also underway.
“Funding for the Mapinga-Mutorashanga Road has already been released by Mimosa Mines and we look forward to beginning the project in the coming weeks if not days,” said Eng Mapurisa.

“Zimplats has also undertaken to reseal the Selous-Ngezi Road which is also expected to begin soon.” Eng Mapurisa said work to surface the Golden Valley-Sanyati road is progressing well following the release of funds by Treasury.

Apart from routine maintenance that includes clearing of road verges, there also projects such as resealing of about five kilometres along the Makuti-Kariba Road.