President Mnangagwa has extended to December 31, 2026 the state of disaster of the country’s road infrastructure network following the initial declaration on February 23, 2021.
This is contained in Statutory Instrument 151 of 2024 cited as Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Rural and Urban Areas of Zimbabwe) (Road Infrastructure Network) (Amendment) Notice, 2024 (No.1)
“Whereas His Excellency the President declared a State of Disaster in connection with the excessive damage to the road infrastructure network, a state of disaster exists in all rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe, on 23rd February, 2021, by Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021; and whereas it has become necessary to extend the declaration of the said state of disaster for a further period to 31st December, 2026: Now, therefore, His Excellency the President, in terms of the proviso to section 27(2) of the Civil Protection Act, by this declaration extends the operation of Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021 to the 31st December, 2026,” reads SI 151.
The declaration of the state of disaster in 2021 led to the launch of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 which will now be extended as Government continues with construction and rehabilitation of the country’s roads.
More than 50 000km of roads have been rehabilitated and reconstructed while 2 000 structures have been attended to since the start of the ERRP2.
Meanwhile, the Government yesterday announced the temporary closure of Harare Drive from Nemakonde Way to Kirkman Junction as more roadworks on major highways resume countrywide.
Government has also engaged five contractors to resume the rehabilitation of key roads across the country as part of efforts by the Second Republic to modernise the country’s road network and improve accessibility.
Major roads slated for rehabilitation include the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, and the Kwekwe-Lupane-Nkayi Road.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, a critical route for tourists and commercial transporters, has deteriorated significantly, turning long drives into nightmares for motorists.
Developing sound road infrastructure is one of the critical enablers towards achieving set targets under the National Development Strategy (NDS1), the Government’s economic blueprint spanning 2021 to 2025.
In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed the developments.
“The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, in partnership with Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd, announces the temporary closure of Harare Drive (from Nemakonde Way to Kirkman Drive junction) on Saturday, September 7, 2024, from 1200 hours to Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 1200 hours. This closure is necessary to facilitate critical repairs to the City of Harare’’s main water lines that intersect the road at various points.
“On traffic diversions: -Heavy-duty vehicles; Please use West Road/Bishop Gaul Avenue as an alternative route. -Light-duty vehicles: Kindly utilise alternative routes and avoid Harare Drive during this period. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we work to improve our infrastructure. Sorry for any inconvenience caused. Let’s work together to make our roads safer and more efficient. Thank you for your understanding.”
According to the Ministry, construction of a detour is also currently underway on the Marondera-Wedza Road upgrading project on the section from Bonongwe to ChopChop.
“We are committed to minimising disruptions during the construction process and ensuring the successful completion of this project.”
Last month, Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Felix Mhona opened to traffic the upgraded and widened completed 21km stretch of the Wedza-Mushandirapamwe Road, linking farmers to key markets in Marondera and Harare.
The Minister also announced upcoming works that include the reconstruction of the Harare-Nyamapanda Highway and the upgrading of the Forbes, Chirundu and Nyamapanda Border Posts.
“The Second Republic is not stopping in as far as development is concerned and no place will be left behind. Initially, this road was to be upgraded up to Mushandirapamwe, but now we will include the stretch from the 10-miles Shopping Centre to Marondera. Road rehabilitation and upgrading will not end here in Hwedza. In this province, we have several roads that we are working on. We have Murehwa-Madicheche Road which will go as far as Mazowe Bridge. We have Murehwa-Macheke and Marondera-Musami Roads and these will be upgraded as soon as possible.
“We are also working on other roads across the country and I want to say to people in areas that we have not reached, rest assured that we will be there,” said Minister Mhona.
Priming is also underway on the Birchenough-Murambinda Road and once completed surfacing is expected to commence.
“The project is progressing according to schedule, with surfacing set to commence shortly. We look forward to delivering a world-class road network that supports economic growth and development.”
Construction of the Manyame River Bridge along the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Road is also in progress.
More roads and bridges are also being built countrywide by the Government as the Second Republic continues developing and improving infrastructure.
The Second Republic under President Mnangagwa is committed to ensuring that roads across the country are usable and in good condition.
The Government embarked on a major infrastructure development programme targeting roads, airports, border posts, schools, clinics and hospitals, and energy infrastructure.
Last week, Government handed over the Musitwe (Melfort) River Bridge along the Harare-Mutare Road to a local company, Tensor Systems, for duplication as part of the dualisation of the road.
By last year, 46 kilometres of the dual carriageway had been completed and opened to traffic on the stretch between Harare and Marondera.
Dualisation of the Harare-Mutare Highway started in 2012, but there was no progress until the coming in of the Second Republic.
The Shurugwi-Mhandamabwe Road reconstruction is also progressing well with surfacing works currently underway.
The Victoria Chitepo Hospital access road is also being rehabilitated as part of efforts to connect health centres with good roads, ensuring easier access to healthcare for communities and enhancing service delivery.
In Harare, the rehabilitation of Avonlea Drive and Gilchrist Drive is in progress while surfacing works on Lavenham Road are progressing well. There is application of asphalt concrete on St Athans Road as part of its renovation.
Herald
