GOVERNMENT has rehabilitated more than a third of targeted roads under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme (ERRP) Phase 2, which was launched in March this year.
The US$400 million ERRP2, which was launched by President Mnangagwa, is a countrywide initiative premised on roads being networks that promote beneficial social and economic activities by ensuring a smooth flow of goods and services. Under ERRP2, 840km of roads around the country will be rehabilitated and reconstructed, while 8 340km will be re-gravelled and 17 093km set to be regraded this year.
In Bulawayo and Matabeleland North, ERRP2 has not only created jobs, but also eased the burden residents face when transporting goods.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing on Tuesday, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said some of the roads were ready to be commissioned, including one in Bulawayo. She said the ERRP2 continues to register significant progress across the country’s 10 provinces.
“On the Harare-Masvingo-Beitbridge Highway, 26km of the targeted 50km were completed and opened to traffic. To date, over 240km of the road has been opened to traffic and general progress is satisfactory,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
“In Bulawayo, rehabilitation of the targeted 16,5km of Siyephambili Drive is on course, with 9,9km having been completed.
“The President, Cde ED Mnangangwa will soon commission the Kopa-Jopa Road in Chimanimani, the Siyephambili Drive in Bulawayo and Mbizo Road in Kwekwe,” she said.
Under the programme, 318km of road has been rehabilitated countrywide, while 10 946km has been regravelled. So far 11 529km has been graded, while potholes covering 7 156km have been patched.
“About 1 150km of drainage structures have been constructed or repaired across all road authorities, while 204 wash ways have been reclaimed.
“A total length of 7 092,1km of drains have been attended, while verge clearing has been completed on 10 309km,” she added.
Minister Mutsvangwa said roads authorities have been directed to ensure that projects under their purview are completed by the end of October to ensure that outstanding works are completed before the onset of the heavy rains. She said going forward, local roads authorities will purchase road maintenance equipment using devolution funds under a phased approach.
