By Staff Reporter
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration is in the process of modernizing national road infrastructure in line with the dictates of Vision 2030 of having an Upper Middle Income Economy status by 2030.
This was said yesterday by the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Matabeleland North, Honorable Richard Moyo while officially opening to the public, the Bulawayo - Nkayi completed five kilometres stretch.
This stretch is part of the broader Bulawayo-Nkayi road resurfacing being done by the Government through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development.
“We are gathered here for this milestone achievement in the efforts by the New Dispensation to modernise our national road infrastructure. The completion of this stretch in the resurfacing of the Bulawayo-Nkayi road bears testimony to the commitment of His Excellency; the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s administration in making sure that our entire road infrastructure is in line with an Upper Middle Income Country by the year 2030.
“You might be aware that two connecting roads; Bulawayo-Tsholotsho and this Bulawayo–Nkayi are currently targeted in this phased approach to road infrastructure rehabilitation by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development,” said Minister Moyo.
The Minister said it was a longed-for development to see the Bulawayo-Nkayi road being rehabilitated as it connects Bubi district to Bulawayo, the country’s second largest city.
“Bulawayo – Nkayi road is key for the connectivity of our Province to the City of Bulawayo, Kwekwe, Gokwe and Gweru of the Midlands Province. This road also connects our mining populations of Bubi district to Bulawayo as well as our farmers who thrive on supplying markets in towns and cities already mentioned. It is therefore a welcome development to see this road being considered for funding especially under the National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025) phase of Vision 2030,” said Minister Moyo.
Minister Moyo thanked President Mnangagwa for his vision for Zimbabwe. He said as a Province, they will support Government’s initiatives of facilitating traffic movement within rural and urban centres.
He further commended the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development together with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development for putting both financial and human resources into the rehabilitation of roads.
Minister Moyo urged people to cherish the peace and unity birthed on 22 December 1987 and said Zimbabweans should continue to embrace diversity within communities. He further said that it was only Zimbabweans who can build and sustain the peace for the development of our country.
Minister Moyo also said it was everyone’s responsibility to see the success of the Pfumvudza concept which is being implemented to see communities being food sufficient.
Last year, Government committed over US$1 billion for road construction and rehabilitation with various projects currently underway across the country under the 2019 Road Development Programme.
Government resolved that funding for road construction will be mobilized from the two percent Intermediated Money Transfer Tax as well as the Zimbabwe National Road Administration Infrastructure Bond.
Government is targeting upgrading at least 781 kilometers of Zimbabwe’s road network, re-gravelling 483 kilometers and constructing 22 bridges.
