Harare-Beitbrigde highway dualisation project at advanced stage  

Deputy Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Engineer, Michael Madanha today said that preparations to implement the dualisation of the Harare-Beitbridge highway are at an advanced stage.

Addressing delegates at the official launch of the inaugural Infrastructure Development Conference  organised by Zimbabwe National Roads Authority (Zinara) and the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair  Engineer Madanha said that the dualisation of the country’s major highway will soon commence.

Read also: Multimedia: Mugabe urged to dualise Harare-Beitbridge highway

“My ministry has managed to secure an investor to work on the widening of  the Harare-Beitbridge highway,” he said, adding that there is need for an extensive exercise to rehabilitate the country’s major roads.

“Zimbabwean roads are in  a dire need of rehabilitation.Most of our roads now need periodic maintenance since they are past their lifespan,” said Engineer Madanha .

He added that the roads rehabilitation  project under government’s economic blueprint, ZIMASSET require $5 billion to be completed. According to Engineer Madanha, this amount will be financed through the Treasury and the private sector through Public Private Partnerships.

The Harare-Beitbridge highway which carries between 1000 and 1500 vehicles per day has claimed a lot of lives due to its poor state.

Watch video below to see how bad  driving on the Harare-Beitbridge Highway might be.

Engineer Madanha also encouraged local investors to also contribute towards realising the  $5 billion required to enhance roads in the country.

Speaking at that same event, ZINARA board chairperson, Mr Albert Mugabe said that the target amount for the road developmental programme can be reached provided investors come on board.

“I believe that we can reach the targeted $5 billion which will work towards building roads this year.  A safe and efficient road network is possible in Zimbabwe,” said Mugabe.

He added that building of roads, infrastructure development is a step towards socio-economic growth.

Mugabe however denied allegations of corruption within the authority saying that the revenue which they collected is safely reaching its intended  destination.

The launch will be followed by a three day Infrastructure Development Conference to be held next month in Bulawayo, running under the theme ‘Unearthing Investment Opportunities Zimbabwe’s Road Infrastructure’. The conference is set to create a platform for policy makers and stakeholders to discuss the way forward on infrastructure-related policies .