Business Reporter
WORK on the Lupane-Nkayi-Kwekwe road construction – the game changer route to Victoria Falls is on course with indications that the project will be completed in 2026.
Speaking during a one week’s long media tour which ended Friday, Ministry of Transport Infrastructure Development permanent secretary, Joy Makumbe said the project falls under the Public Private Partnerships (PPP).
“The government and the local contractor, Road Trekkers forged a partnership under which the latter is financing the project. The idea behind the initiative is that we can’t over rely on resources which come from the Treasury. We need to also support government’s efforts through such initiatives as the PPPs,” she said.
Sharing the progress update with the media Road Trekkers Engineer Brighton Vundla said work to finalise the project is on course.
“So far, we have completed about 15 kilometres at subgrade level, 10 kilometres at base three, and base two works are underway. We are targeting 60 kilometres next year, 30 in Matabeleland North and 30 in Midlands,” he said.
He said the 240 km project will be made up of 160 km of earth road with the remainder 80 km being tarred.
Director Roads in the Ministry, Engineer Jarawani Kangara underscored that the route, once completed will be game changer in a number of ways.
“Firstly when travelling to Vic Falls through these corridor motorists will cut the distance by 170 km compared to coming via Bulawayo. So for truckers who use fuel in the range of one litre per two kilometer the cost reduction impact will be so immense considering that a return journey has a total of 340 km cut down.
“Manhize is currently using the Lupane-Bulawayo route. Once this new road opens, transport costs for raw materials will drop; meaning the price of steel will also go down. The benefits are many,” he added.
