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Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

The upgrading of Kadoma-Sanyati Road, where Government partnered Sanyati Rural District Council to construct a 100-kilometre dual carriageway in 2018, has stalled because of the Covid-19 national lockdown and the incessant rains being experienced.

Once complete, the road is expected to turnaround the economic fortunes of Sanyati and Gokwe districts which are known for cotton farming and gold production.

The project had remained largely a pipe dream as slow paced efforts and shortage of resources affected progress.

Although a stretch of seven kilometres from Golden Valley towards Sanyati has been resurfaced and tarred, it is over 20 kilometres short of the initial target of 30 kilometres.

Villagers say this has continued to threaten the predominately cotton and gold-rich area as transporters shun the route while those that choose to use it charge exorbitant rates of at least US$10 for the short distance from Sanyati to Kadoma.

Initially, the partnership is supposed to see government and council road engineers work on removing and replacing the 100km potholed strip road which has not been repaired in years, with a tarred dual carriageway.

Provincial Government roads engineer, Simbararshe Gomo, blamed the delays on resource constraints, but expressed hope the first phase would soon be completed, paving way for the second phase.

“We are positive that the first phase will be complete soon,” he said.

“The slight halt has been caused largely by the heavy rains and the Level Four lockdown, but we are confident that once the rains subside, work will resume.”

Sanyati constituency House of Assembly representative and Mines and Mining Development Deputy Minister, Polite Kambamura, was upbeat that the road was headed towards a major facelift.

“It is saddening that the late Cde (Joel Biggie) Matiza, whom I had recently engaged over the upgrade of the road, will not be around to see it,” he said.

“Although workers continued to work, their efforts were rather slow while resource constraints also crippled progress.

Minister (Matiza) agreed to tour the road and after our engagement, there was a remarkable and commendable pace from the workers.

“Minister Matiza was committed to putting the road on the current budget. We are positive that although he is gone, his wishes of seeing this road being completed will be achieved.

“The road will open economic fortunes for the cotton and gold-rich districts of Kadoma-Sanyati and Gokwe North.

“Had it not been for the holidays, the rainy season and the effects of Covid-19 that has seen the nation going to Level Four lockdown, I’m sure that the phase would have been completed by now.

“The efforts show how the Second Republic is committed to providing its people with good infrastructure including roads, schools and health care facilities.”