Business Reporter
THE Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA) has set a aside a whopping ZWG11,6 billion for road maintenance for the year 2025 amid revelations that first quarter allotments have already commenced in earnest.
This year’s budget signifies a 147% increase from the ZWG4,7 billion allocated in the 2024 budget, signifying the administration’s corresponding transparency in relation to increased revenue measures in the past year.
“ Preparations for the first-quarter disbursements are already underway, with all 94 road authorities having submitted their 2025 road maintenance plans. These early disbursements aim to cater to the extensive road works required on the rain-damaged network,” said ZINARA.
The Nkosinathi Ncube led ZINARA said it remains dedicated to sustainable road infrastructure development, aligning with the national Vision 2030 goal of a well-maintained and efficient road network on the back of stronger revenue collection strategies, including tollgate upgrades and relocations, are also in progress to ensure continued funding for road maintenance and rehabilitation.
“Regular training programs and technical support have been key to enhancing efficiency in project execution and fund acquittals. Zinara’s commitment to capacity building and strengthened monitoring has significantly contributed to the successful implementation of road maintenance projects across the country,” the administrator said.
In the just ended year, 63 out of 94 Road Authorities utilized 100% of their budgets and 58 accessed 100% of the fuel allocated to them with experts indicating that the high budget utilisation is a testament to the efficiency and accountability measures put in place by Zinara.
For the first time, Zinara successfully piloted a fuel disbursement program, providing 1.9 million litres of fuel to road authorities, complementing financial disbursements and addressed critical operational challenges, ensuring smoother road maintenance operations across the country.
“The year 2024 also saw a record 37,000 kilometres of roads maintained, surpassing the 30,000-kilometre target and significantly exceeding the 23,000 kilometres achieved in 2023. This remarkable achievement highlights Zinara’s commitment to improving Zimbabwe’s road infrastructure.
“Zinara’s Provincial Engineers played a crucial role in providing oversight, training, and evaluation support to road authorities, ensuring effective project execution and timely acquittals,” added Zinara.
