Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Masvingo provincial
roads engineer, Peter Mukome has revealed that it is not possible to do
upgrades on the ramshackle Chilonga Bridge across Runde River, saying the
RTGS$18 million allocated to the project last year falls short of what is
required.
roads engineer, Peter Mukome has revealed that it is not possible to do
upgrades on the ramshackle Chilonga Bridge across Runde River, saying the
RTGS$18 million allocated to the project last year falls short of what is
required.
Mukome told TellZim News on
the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting at Chitsanga Hall last week that the
project needed at least US$20 million just for the importation of materials
needed to do the work.
the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting at Chitsanga Hall last week that the
project needed at least US$20 million just for the importation of materials
needed to do the work.
“We got some RTGS$18 million
last year but construction was delayed by the economic shocks of October last
year when inflation took a sudden turn for the worse. That means the money
allocated lost significant value.
last year but construction was delayed by the economic shocks of October last
year when inflation took a sudden turn for the worse. That means the money
allocated lost significant value.
“Looking at the engineering
designs of the piling foundation, the materials of which are not found locally,
we need at least US$20 million in real foreign currency.
designs of the piling foundation, the materials of which are not found locally,
we need at least US$20 million in real foreign currency.
“The RTGS$18 million was
only meant for the construction of substructure of the bridge but taking into
cognisance macro-economic shocks; inflation, price increases and fuel
shortages, the contract price of the project was negatively affected,” Mukombe
said.
only meant for the construction of substructure of the bridge but taking into
cognisance macro-economic shocks; inflation, price increases and fuel
shortages, the contract price of the project was negatively affected,” Mukombe
said.
He said his department had
identified a new site that would allow for the construction of a new bridge
altogether at less cost.
identified a new site that would allow for the construction of a new bridge
altogether at less cost.
“We have chosen a new site
which has firm rock that allows use of mass concrete by local engineers. In
that vein, we are focusing on the designs as well as the tendering process
which is in progress,” said Mukombe.
which has firm rock that allows use of mass concrete by local engineers. In
that vein, we are focusing on the designs as well as the tendering process
which is in progress,” said Mukombe.
On average, five people die
every good rainy season trying to cross the flooded Runde River in makeshift
boats or in motor vehicles.
every good rainy season trying to cross the flooded Runde River in makeshift
boats or in motor vehicles.
