by Gideon Madzikatidze/Simbarashe Sithole
MAZOWE – Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Honourable Advocate Felix Mhona, has urged contractors to accelerate road construction projects to meet deadlines.
Speaking at the opening of the completed Mazowe road section from Christon Bank junction to Blueridge, Mhona emphasised the need for swift progress on key corridors, including Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls and Gwanda-Maphisa roads, to boost tourism, business and trade.
“Meanwhile, we urge all our contractors to adhere to prescribed deadlines. They should speed up their paces on our roads so that those areas which were previously known to be inaccessible will ensure ease access and smooth traffic movements,” Mhona said.
“We kindly request them to speed up construction and maintainance for convenience to our tourism, trade and general business corridors. We will make sure that President Mnangagwa and his administration’s policy of leaving no one and no place behind is realised within the prescribed time-frames, so it is the duty of contractors to make sure that this has been realised,” he added.
This call comes as Zimbabwe prepares for its 46th independence celebrations in Matebeleland South province. Mhona assured that no region or place will be left behind in President Mnangagwa’s development agenda, dismissing perceptions of marginalization.
“There will be no one and no place to be left behind development trajectory. We are also happy that most of these contractors have shown capacity and manage to finish their sections within prescribed time-frames,” he stated.
“As you are aware that Matebeleland South is the host for this year’s national independence day celebrations, we have opt to increase the number of contractors working on that road stretching from Gwanda to Maphisa so that its completion will be done within prescribed time-frames,” Mhona said.
The Ministry has opened the completed Bulawayo-Nkayi road section (Inyathi Area) to traffic. Responding to citizen and legislator requests, the government will extend the dualisation stretch to Mazowe and relocate the toll gate between National Defence University and New Parliament Round About to just after Mazowe.
Mhona’s appeal underscores the government’s commitment to enhancing Zimbabwe’s road network, aligning with National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2) and Vision 2030 targets.