By Takunda Chimwaka

Government has hailed the progress being made on the Harare-Beitbridge highway rehabilitation, The Harare Post reports.

Addressing people during a tour of the Beitbridge-Bubi 100km stretch contracted to Bitumen contractors, Minister of Transport, Communication and Infrastructural Development, Joel Biggie Matiza said the project was likely to be completed in 2023.

“The project will cost a projected figure of US$600 million. Upgrading of the road is divided into two phases, with the first phase involving widening the road to 12,5m to meet the recommended SADC standard road. The second phase would then involve the dualisation process,” said Minister Matiza.

The Minister further revealed that the rehabilitation process marks one of ZANU PF’s pre-2018 election promises. It will link South Africa with the rest of Southern Africa and generate a lot of revenue for Zimbabwe.

“The Harare-Beitbridge road was now a cause of concern and life threatening highway. Most transporters were now using alternative routes to Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Democratic Republic of Congo and Namibia due to the bad state of our road.

“To avoid slackening, Government engaged into tight contracts with contractors, earmarked with ground rules and timelines,” highlighted Minister Matiza.

Speaking at the same tour, Bitumen representative, Bigboy Sibindi revealed that Bitumen was one of the five contractors contracted by Government for the project.

“The first 20km from the border post will be completed in the next seven months. Some of our equipment is already on site, and detours are being prepared,” said Sibindi.

The Harare-Beitbridge highway was becoming a highway to heaven. Statistics revealed that a total number of about 1 956 people died due to road accidents and about 600 perished in the same highway in 2018.

The rehabilitation of this road is likely to bring more revenue to the country as it is a major highway linking Southern African States.