Seize dualisation project opportunities, firms urged
GOVERNMENT has challenged local construction companies in Masvingo to up their game and seize the opportunities created by the impending $1 billion Harare-Beitbridge Highway dualisation project.
The project is expected to commence soon after Government awarded the contract to Austrian firm Geiger International.
Under the project, Government managed to successfully negotiate with Geiger for 40 percent of the project to be reserved for local companies.
Minister of State for Masvingo Provincial Affairs Senator Josaya Hungwe said construction companies in the province were supposed to prepare for the dualisation project to avoid losing out from the spin-offs.
He urged companies that were interested in participating in the dualisation project to register officially, indicating their areas of specialisation.
“Government has negotiated that local companies get a slice of the dualisation cake and my challenge to companies in Masvingo is that you must not be caught napping,” he said. “You must register with the relevant office indicating what you can do so that you will be considered when the cake is finally shared.
“There is a lot of material, which will be required in the highway dualisation project and construction companies here can supply such things required in road making like bitumen, concrete stones and sand.
“There is also potential for others to be hired to do road markings and signage, which will earn them a lot of money.’’
Minister Hungwe said there were also opportunities for enterprising locals to open restaurants that would supply food to thousands of permanent and contract workers working on the highway project.
He said companies from Masvingo would get preference in sub-contracts under the province’s segment in the highway project.
The highway straddles four provinces — Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Mashonaland East and Harare Metropolitan and it will be divided into segments.
Minister Hungwe expressed optimism that the dualisation project was going to finally kick off, close to a year after it was commissioned.
“I cannot give the exact timelines for work on the dualisation project to start, but it will be very soon and Government is working flat out to make sure work starts immediately because the dualisation project is a key priority of the new administration led by President Mnangagwa,’’ he said.