By Rudo Saungweme

Government has injected funding for the Road Development Programme which is expected to improve the ease of doing business.

The Programme seeks to upgrade 98 133km stretch of road network, a Cabinet Minister has said.

Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube in a press statement said Government availed ZWL $464 606 906 in October this year towards development of roads across the country as well as opening economic opportunities for inaccessible regions.

Minister Ncube said, “The road infrastructure is arguably the most important of all our public assets as it contributes to economic development and growth whilst providing access to economic opportunities, employment, health and education services as part of our strategy to fight poverty.

“In support of the Development Programme, Government availed ZWL $464 606 906 on 15 October from the fiscus drawing some of the resources from the two percent Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT),” said the Finance Minister.

The Minister also said the amount unveiled by Government excluded support from the Road Fund (ZINARA) which mainly targets maintenance programmes implemented by road authorities, that is, the Department of Roads (DOD), District Development Fund (DDF) and Local Authorities.

The Harare Post has learnt that the programme include, road dualisation, bridge construction, construction of airstrips and construction of roads affected by Cyclone Idai.

The need to improve the road network by Government is the basis for realising the economic growth objectives of Vision 2030 and beyond.