Govt avails funds for road, bridge rehab

THE Government through the road rehabilitation programme has availed more than $600 000 for the repair of a road and a bridge in Nkayi District, which collapsed due to progressive erosion and widening of the river bed in 2013.

Matabeleland North provincial road engineer Joseph Makokobe said the projects were part of the Government’s 100-day programme and work was in progress in Tokwe area in Ward 15.

“The Government has availed about $627 000 for the rehabilitation of a bridge and a road in Nkayi District which was severely eroded, resulting in the collapse of the bridge,” said Eng Makokobe.

He said the funds will be disbursed through the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration and the Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe. Eng Makokobe said the project which is now 35 percent complete started in November last year and would be complete in April.

He said the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has engaged a contractor who is already on site and has commenced work on the road and bridge.

“The rehabilitation comes after the road which links Lupane and Nkayi districts was damaged in 2013, but continued to worsen until 2016 when the structure was washed away and the situation got worse. Nkayi and Lupane were, therefore, disconnected because of the wash away. The rehabilitation is aimed at connecting the road between Lupane and Nkayi, as it was the most convenient road used by tourists going to Hwange and Victoria Falls during holidays,” said Eng Makokobe.

Lupane District Administrator Mrs Matilda Mlotshwa expressed gratitude over the development.

“I am very happy with this move by the Government, as it will improve service delivery and will shorten the journey for travellers. We appeal to the Government to also assist in rehabilitating the Nkayi-Bulawayo Road,” she said.

Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Dr Joram Gumbo has revealed that the Government will avail more than $500 000 to each of the country’s 60 rural district councils to conduct road rehabilitation programmes.