Zimpapers Logo

Nyore Madzianike Manicaland Bureau
THE Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) is reportedly failing to release funds to pay contractors doing the second phase of road rehabilitation projects in Mutare. The situation has resulted in the contractors stopping work on the roads in a bid to force Zinara to pay for the initial work. 

Zinara partnered the City of Mutare in rehabilitating roads in Mutare to the tune of $1,3 million. City of Mutare’s public relations officer Mr Spren Mutiwi confirmed the development, saying the second phase, which was supposed to see Jeff Magamba and Blessing Makunike roads being surfaced, has ground to a halt.

“Phase One was completed and the second phase had already begun. We had shortcomings in that phase since contractors had temporarily stopped work because of non-payment for services already provided.

“Zinara is failing to release funds for the projects,” he said.

Mr Mutiwi said Zinara had failed to honour its side of the bargain after it was furnished with two certificates of completion by the contractor.

Contacted for comment over the non-payment of money to the contractors, Zinara public relations officer Mr Augustine Moyo said: “We are visiting Mutare and the Minister (Transport and Infrastructural Development), Dr Joram Gumbo will be meeting all stakeholders.”