Good road infrastructure remains a key component in attracting investors and as Zimbabwe continues with the drive to lure investors into the country, calls continue to be made for government to prioritise the rehabilitation of the country’s road network. 

In Masvingo province, 86 percent of the roads are gravel with most in bad shape and the local leadership has called for this to be addressed. 

The Ministry of Transport and  Infrastructural Development recently held a meeting in Masvingo where the state of  roads in the province was discussed. 

Engineer Robert Mukome, who is the city’s provincial engineer under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, highlighted that only 1 576 kilometres of the province’s road network is tarred, indicating that the state of the roads is deplorable.

ZINARA Board Chairman Engineer Michael Madanha said $6.5 million will be awarded to Masvingo road authorities in the 2019 budget allocation, adding that the funds will be closely monitored to ensure they are used for the intended purpose.

 “We have to make sure that we monitor to ensure that the work is done,” said Engineer Madanha.

The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Cde Joel Biggie Matiza who attended the meeting also toured the Kapota – Zimuto road which is under construction and commissioned the stretch that has been completed.

The minister said there is a policy shift in government to prioritise road maintenance.

 “We have a policy shift and we want to make sure that our roads are maintained, that is what the president wants,” said Cde Matiza.

Masvingo Minister of State Cde Ezra Chadzamira said the policy shift is a welcome development for the province.

“Tirikufara kuti nyaya yema road government yakutipa attention. Ndosaka murikuona takuvaka road iyi. (We are happy that government is now giving attention to the issue of roads; that is why we are now constructing this road),” said Cde Chadzamira.

Meanwhile Minister Matiza also assessed work being done in the construction of the Rutenga –Zvishavane road.

-State Media