Government has shifted its focus towards the rehabilitation of urban roads, with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development intensifying efforts to address the deteriorating state of road infrastructure in cities and towns.
The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon Adv Felix Tapiwa Mhona, today convened a high-level meeting with key stakeholders at his office to discuss and map the way forward.
In an interview, the minister emphasised that the meeting was not intended as a witch-hunt, but was instead focused on strengthening coordination between national and local authorities, mobilising resources, and accelerating interventions on road networks in cities.
“The condition of urban roads has become a growing concern for motorists, commuters and businesses As part of our strategy, the ministry is working closely with local authorities and key stakeholders to prioritise critical road networks and ensure that rehabilitation programmes are implemented efficiently.
“This approach is meant to complement ongoing works on the national highway network by directly addressing infrastructure challenges within our cities,” the minister said.
The initiative will see the Ministry working with city councils and the Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) to prioritise segments that have been heavily damaged by increased traffic, aging infrastructure, and recent weather events.
Local governments hold the primary mandate to maintain and manage roads within towns and cities.
“This is not about taking over the mandate of councils, but about working together for the benefit of the public.
“Urban roads play a critical role in economic activity, and their condition directly affects businesses, public transport operators and ordinary citizens.
“To ensure sustainability, we are moving towards the establishment of asphalt plants that will support both urban and national road projects.
“This will lower costs, improve efficiency and allow for timely maintenance of our road infrastructure,” he added.
The road rehabilitation initiative comes in the wake of the extension of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) Phase 2 to next year by His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a move aimed at consolidating gains made under the programme and accelerating the restoration of both urban and rural road networks across the country.
The Mayor of Bulawayo, His Worship David Coltart, welcomed the move, saying it would go a long way in addressing the long-standing challenges posed by the deteriorating state of the city’s road network.
“The meeting was successful and allowed for frank and constructive engagement on the challenges facing our road infrastructure.
“We welcome the Government’s decision to chip in on urban road rehabilitation, as this intervention will significantly ease the burden on local authorities and improve the condition of our roads for residents and businesses,” said Mayor Coltart.
He noted that local authorities continue to face procurement challenges, which have slowed down the acquisition of materials and contractors needed for timely road rehabilitation works.
The heavy rains received across the country in recent months have further exacerbated the deterioration of roads, contributing significantly to potholes, erosion, and other structural damages.
The meeting was attended by key figures, including Engineer J. P. Makumbe, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport, Dr. G. Manyaya, ZINARA Board Chairman, engineers from both the Ministry of Transport and local government, representatives from RIDA, as well as other stakeholders involved in urban infrastructure development.
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Story by Jeremiah Gora
