Staff Reporter

The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development has completed the long-awaited Kuwirirana-Nembudziya Road in Gokwe, a project expected to transform accessibility and economic activity in the region.

The development has been met with widespread applause from residents, who had long struggled with poor road conditions.

Speaking about the project yesterday, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development Felix Mhona said Government remains committed to improving road infrastructure across the country.

“This project is part of the Government’s commitment to ensuring that even the most remote areas have proper road networks. The completion of the Kuwirirana-Nembudziya Road will ease transportation challenges and boost economic activities in Gokwe,” Minister Mhona said.

The road, which had been in a deteriorated state, had made it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to markets, while public transport operators often avoided the route due to its poor condition.

Local residents have welcomed the development, hailing it as a game-changer for the area.

Tendai Mugabe, a farmer in Nembudziya, said the new road would significantly improve business opportunities.

“For some time we struggled to move our maize and cotton to markets in Gokwe and beyond. Now, we can transport our produce without worrying about delays caused by bad roads,” he said.

Public transport operators have also praised the development.

Farai Mhlanga, a local bus driver, said the new road would reduce vehicle maintenance costs and improve travel times.

“We used to spend hours navigating potholes and damaged sections of the road. Now, the journey is smooth, and we can carry more passengers without fear of damaging our vehicles,” he said.

The Kuwirirana-Nembudziya Road is one of several projects under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP), which the Government has been implementing to improve infrastructure nationwide.

Local leaders have also expressed their gratitude with Councillor Tafadzwa Chikukwa of Kuwirirana Ward thanking the Government for delivering on its promise.

“This road has been a challenge for years. Now, our community can fully participate in economic activities without transportation challenges,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport is working on rehabilitating more roads across the country with the Khami Prison Access Road in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province already under reconstruction. Other key projects include the rehabilitation of the Kwekwe-Gokwe Road and the Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, as the Government intensifies efforts to improve the country’s road network and boost economic development.