Courage Dutiro
Masvingo city road rehabilitation works received a major boost following approval of funds to the tune of ZW$ 230 million for the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP 2) for the year 2023.
Minutes of the Public Works and Planning Committee of November 24, 2022 revealed the development and the subsequent breakdown of the funds.
“Consideration was given to the report of the Acting Director of Engineering Services on the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme phase 2. It was reported that the City of Masvingo was allocated a total of ZW$ 230 918 833 for the 2023 Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) 2,” read the minutes.
Of the allocated amount, ZW$ 10 448 391 would be used for re-gravelling of Zana, Jara and Nyadzonya roads stretching for 2 000 meters while the resealing of Bvudzijena and Citrus streets each covering 6 00 meters would cost ZW$ 49 560 000 each.
Routine maintenance of 50 kilometres that include purchase of pothole patching materials namely emulsions, bitumen, cold/hot mix and tools would account for ZW$ 29 870 000 while drain lining of 2 000 meters in locations costs to the tune of ZW$ 18 000 000 will be catered for.
ZW$ 73 480 422 will be used for two tipper trucks as adopted by the committee.
Calls for rehabilitation of streets around the city have been louder among residents due to the poor state of the roads though the local authority has been lauded for its performance in rehabilitating major roads in Masvingo city.
The issue of paving and lining of drainages had also been topical especially during the rainy season when water spilling from flooded drainages end up finding way into properties much to the disapproval of the residents.