Upgrade Byo-Nkayi highway

WE appeal to the Government through the responsible ministry to upgrade the Bulawayo-Nkayi highway as a matter of urgency.

We were shocked last week when we were visiting business clients at Dakamela Business Centre about 100km west of Nkayi centre. We talked to some people who said they were not happy with the fact that the Nkayi road was only talked about when we were going towards the last elections and until now there is nothing to show that the busy road will be attended to.

This road is one of the busiest in the country as it links Bulawayo city with Gokwe town. Bulawayo-Nkayi road used to be a tarred road but now it is in a very bad state and it’s the most dangerous road at the moment due to the sharp curves which are caused by the cracks since we have heavy trucks which use the road.

Some buses have since stopped plying the route as a result of these bad roads and this has forced travellers to use kombis which charge more than double the amount which buses are charging.

I feel people in Nkayi should also enjoy the fruits of independence which other districts are enjoying.

Some farmers said they were finding it very difficult to transport their crops such as sweet potatoes to markets in Bulawayo as haulage trucks are now preferring to use the long trip via Kwekwe and Zhombe.

It’s not only the Bulawayo-Nkayi road which needs to be upgraded.

In Nkayi there is Fighting Road which should be tarred to speed up the delivery of goods between Harare and Lupane.

This will also reduce the costs of travelling as that road is shorter than using the Bulawayo road.

We hope the Government will look into this issue and assist the residents of Nkayi who have been suffering for too long. Eddious Masundire Shumba, Bulawayo.