By Business Reporter
Government and Bitumen have partnered for the rehabilitation of the Bulawayo- Beitbridge road, a move that is expected to reduce accidents and lure tourists from South Africa to Victoria Falls.
The partnership is expected to establish the route as a preferred travelling option for Southern Africa and will be operated under a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer contract.
“Cabinet advises that plans are underway to upgrade, rehabilitate, widen, and dualise certain sections of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road through a Public-Private Partnership with Bitumen World (Pvt) Ltd under a Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer contract.” The Minister of Media and Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Jenfan Muswere said in Harare this week.
Furthermore, “rehabilitation and reconstruction of the road will enhance the movement of transit traffic, thereby making this route the most preferred along the NorthSouth Corridor, connecting Zimbabwe to South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.” Muswere added.
Government also announced other roads that it’s currently working on as the second Republic has been hands on in rehabilitation of roads following the completion of the Harare Beitbridge road among other roads.
“In addition financial arrangements have been concluded for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of other roads including Kwekwe-Nkayi-Lupane Road; Bulawayo-Nkayi Road;and Karoi-BingaCross Dete Road. All these roads will start immediately.” Muswere added.
The road is a key route for tourists who use the road to travell to Bulawayo, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Namibia setting it as a tourism gem as an important link to Zimbabwe’s major trading partner, South Africa.