Govt turns up heat on road construction firms

VICE President Constantino Chiwenga yesterday implored construction companies that are rehabilitating roads leading to the New Parliament Building in Mount Hampden to work against the clock and finish early before the country hosts the SADC Summit in August.

Initially, the Government had given construction companies a July deadline but after touring the area yesterday, VP Chiwenga said expectations are that the road rehabilitation works would be concluded by the end of June.

“We have an important SADC summit in August, and we want it to be a success. So, it requires that they finish early and also do quality work, so they have to change their work ethic and, from now on going forward, they must work 24/7.

“I want this work to be done by June. The July deadline, erase it from your mind. I want everything done by June. As of now we are on track and they will meet the target. I will be with them. I do not see anything that will derail this programme,” said VP Chiwenga.

He added that the Government will avail the requisite resources to enable the companies to finish the road works on schedule.

“On our part as Government we will do everything to support them to meet the target, and it should be done as professionally as we can,” said VP Chiwenga.

VP Chiwenga’s progress check comes on the back of tight deadlines as Zimbabwe prepares to host the regional indaba in August when President Mnangagwa will assume the chairmanship of SADC.

VP Chiwenga was accompanied by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jenfan Muswere, Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Felix Mhona, and Foreign Affairs and International

Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava.

Deputy Chief Secretary and National Coordinator responsible for flagship programmes and projects in the Office of the President and Cabinet,

Engineer Amos Marawa, Attorney General Virginia Mabiza and Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (PRAZ) chief executive officer Mr Clever Ruswa were also part of the touring party.

Pictures: Joseph Manditswara Vice President Dr Constantino Chiwenga (centre) engages Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona (right) and Deputy Chief Secretary – Coordination of National Programmes and Projects Engineer Amos Marawa (left) during a tour of roads leading to the New Parliament in Mount Hampden, Harare, yesterday.

Vice President Chiwenga is briefed by Engineer Marawa (left) while Minister Mhona looks on yesterday.