Source: The Herald – Breaking news.
Developing sound road infrastructure is one of the critical enablers towards achieving set targets under the National Development Strategy (NDS1), the Government’s economic blueprint spanning 2021 to 2025.Herald Reporters
President Mnangagwa has extended to December 31, 2026 the state of disaster of the country’s road infrastructure network following the initial declaration on February 23, 2021.
This is contained in Statutory Instrument 151 of 2024 cited as Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Rural and Urban Areas of Zimbabwe) (Road Infrastructure Network) (Amendment) Notice, 2024 (No.1)
“Whereas His Excellency the President declared a State of Disaster in connection with the excessive damage to the road infrastructure network, a state of disaster exists in all rural and urban areas in Zimbabwe, on 23rd February, 2021, by Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021; and whereas it has become necessary to extend the declaration of the said state of disaster for a further period to 31st December, 2026: Now, therefore, His Excellency the President, in terms of the proviso to section 27(2) of the Civil Protection Act, by this declaration extends the operation of Statutory Instrument 47 of 2021 to the 31st December, 2026,” reads SI 151.
The declaration of the state of disaster in 2021 led to the launch of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 which will now be extended as Government continues with construction and rehabilitation of the country’s roads.
More than 50 000km of roads have been rehabilitated and reconstructed while 2 000 structures have been attended to since the start of the ERRP2.
Meanwhile, the Government yesterday announced the temporary closure of Harare Drive from Nemakonde Way to Kirkman Junction as more roadworks on major highways resume countrywide.
Government has also engaged five contractors to resume the rehabilitation of key roads across the country as part of efforts by the Second Republic to modernise the country’s road network and improve accessibility.
Major roads slated for rehabilitation include the Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, Bulawayo-Nkayi Road, and the Kwekwe-Lupane-Nkayi Road.
The Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Highway, a critical route for tourists and commercial transporters, has deteriorated significantly, turning long drives into nightmares for motorists.
Developing sound road infrastructure is one of the critical enablers towards achieving set targets under the National Development Strategy (NDS1), the Government’s economic blueprint spanning 2021 to 2025.
In a statement, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development confirmed the developments.
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