Matobo gets $20 000 for roads rehab

MATOBO Rural District Council (RDC) has sourced more than $20 000 to rehabilitate roads that were destroyed by the heavy rains that the country received during the summer season.

In an interview, Matobo RDC chief executive officer Mr Elvis Sibanda said the council has embarked on road rehabilitation and maintenance following the heavy rains.

“Matobo was not spared from the heavy rains that had negative impacts on water sanitation, schools and roads. Council has embarked on road maintenance and rehabilitation as most of the roads were damaged by the heavy rains,” he said.

He added: “The district has a total road network of 777 kilometres, and most of these roads need maintenance. So far 15km in Maphisa Township, Marinoha-Bidi 17km, Marinoha Tribal Line 26km, Mbondweni 26km have been maintained. We are doing the 16km Beula Road.”

Mr Sibanda said the council got the money from the Zinara Emergency Fund For Rehabilitation and Maintenance of Roads.

He also said some non-governmental organisations have chipped in on other developmental projects in the district.

“The council in partnership with Caritas managed to complete infrastructural projects that include Thandindaba solar borehole and Evergreen community market in Ward 19, Mloyi solar borehole in ward 12, Tumasi and Sukaphansi solar boreholes and a community irrigation scheme in ward 11. The NGOs also rehabilitated Makhasa community dam in ward 10.”

He said organisations such as German Agro Action, Fambidzanai Permaculture, OxFam and ORAP were assisting in the maintenance of infrastructure that was destroyed by the rains.

He said $339 000 was needed to repair infrastructure which was destroyed in the district.

“The council met various stakeholders and a needs assessment report was produced which shows damaged roads, collapsed boreholes, collapsed schools toilets, classroom blocks with blown of roofs, destroyed homesteads and collapsed dams,” he said.